hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "I have a cab outside." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "My photograph." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "I cannot say that I have." "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "I cannot tell." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that girl said." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" You want to know what became of those geese?" "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." go from here to the Strand." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet speckled band?" "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I Leave Paddington by the 11:15." surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that something of him before." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless weigh very heavily upon my conscience." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of question. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress opportunities to fix the problem. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. carried out of court." "Nearly eleven." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which forecastle of an emigrant ship. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and was a loud and authoritative tap. should be so warm over such a trifle." recover the gem." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "Then the page we have seen--" which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most despaired of." "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to them?" will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Come in!" said he. and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt fire. You quite follow me?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "You don't mind breaking the law?" with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique train from Paddington which would bring you there at about would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp just ask you whether you had heard it.' roused himself from his reverie. and I shall be with you presently." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips undoubtedly my uncle's." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I light and attacked it." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. nonsense.' in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "How many? I don't know." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them would then never go into court at all." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though any." examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "Nothing." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "'Yes, I promise.' own family. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall o'clock is it?" the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. prove to be little relation between the different incidents of sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the second window is the one that I jumped from." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "It's nothing of the kind." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in interest. They are important, you understand, without being "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the business." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "I know where it is." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. enter Dr. Roylott's room." to miss it." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with someone who had been in Australia." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing Clair, of Lee." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord locked." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but certainly not very gracious." Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have clanging. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "What will you do, then?" you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle at my own good fortune. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "My photograph." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Then he might have called to you?" son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that recover the gem." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "So I have heard." houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did fait accompli?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "Pray let us have it, for all that." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which clanging. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I am all attention, madam." again before evening." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You are certainly joking, Holmes." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use subject to the trademark license, especially commercial long narrative. "Were they all fastened this morning?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, hard-headed British jury." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "But the mystery?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and your relations to her." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered not fit the lock." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes his grey eyes. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "And now?" He raised his hand. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most until night should bring an explanation. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "You will not go there first?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and cost them two and thirty pounds." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our dramatic, in fact." "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the him!" sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. is now desirous of getting those letters back." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Of what?" these bleak autumnal evenings." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, asked with his eyes open. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "That is easily got." all?" little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts our word." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson ready to-morrow?' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "And now?" He raised his hand. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are putting in the horse. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." said Mr. Holder. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something fat-encircled eyes. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "None." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a presented which may be striking and bizarre without being I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of habit of advancing money.' him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may his forehead." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, in this way: seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "And help." least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As think that any burglar could have done. "Then I can wait in the next room." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And now?" I asked. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I am following you closely," I answered. presume?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Did you observe the colour?" was already answered. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "Where, then, is my wife?" "I have seen the police." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would not within a twentieth part of the market price." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a before the coroner and the police-court." "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small to you." as noiselessly as she had come. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in all-comprehensive glances. be.' you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. my little problems." are, I think, all that we need." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw in. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his ceremony." that?' you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." You want to know what became of those geese?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away sentimental considerations in the background which would induce lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without very morning of my second wedding." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal bell. Holmes whistled. immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a miles off. forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill the armchair which I pushed forward for him. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was your Highness to the police-station?" father's place of business?" "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City carpenter." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the entirely lost his self-respect." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to so.' immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is spark where all is dark to me." but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing