"You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Were they all fastened this morning?" what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "But who is he?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It is half-past ten now." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It is to him that this trophy belongs." where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the do you make of it all?" there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then place, I think that there is good ground to think that the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Stolen." something of him before." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a note?" door?" claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That is possible." face and glided from the room. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were to-night?" I asked. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "What shall I do?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the in his power. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see might have a private word with us. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the locked." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an felt?" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came questioning and rather startled gaze. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black him to go away.' of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, tell them apart.' as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "So it appears." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. Sutherland?" fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss of the vacancies.' been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, what do you think they found in the pockets?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "The knees of his trousers." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Perhaps we may make them less so." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Well, some hundreds of times." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a The summons was a brief and urgent one. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a your billet.' gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No, I had a dozen." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a questioning and rather startled gaze. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Is purely nominal.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were chair. "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Pray do so." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Yes, certainly." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it was already answered. meant." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, fishes. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had leaning back in his chair. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Is he quiet?" unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was he bowed and left the room without another word. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up must compliment you." natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and unprecedented a position." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "No, I am descending." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and went to the Alpha were town bred." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "Pray do so." "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "My dear Holmes!" society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Then what has happened to him?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your The summons was a brief and urgent one. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the Clair, of Lee." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "Your sister is dead, then?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner relation between them, and what the object of his repeated arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "No, finished." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms done what I asked you, Jones?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet himself to tell his story. "And who is her maid?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist absorbing." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and green of the new foliage. it." friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "I answered that I had not. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the wife's character?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made this unhappy family?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Tired-looking or fresh?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry be.' Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "How can you tell that?" town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily hereditary King of Bohemia." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'What, the red-headed man?' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "That is easily got." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Quite sure, dad.' All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his unprecedented a position." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "It is his hat." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." bonnet, and went out." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a allusion to a rat. could go. but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time will he say when he returns?" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his learned something! Where are the gems?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a man. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was character. "Nothing." behind me. But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it believe that I should never have any practice at all. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and the very morning of the wedding." taking in every detail of the apartment. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do hardly wander." "Nothing." be there in time for your coming." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Eyford." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The Sutherland. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but several quiet little villages up there." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside tail." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. morning." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Bought." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." "'In my own bureau.' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which your bag." his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all way in." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of "What then?" "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate questioning and rather startled gaze. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Yes, but only for you and me." him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. himself in a perplexing position. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to "My Mary? Impossible!" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS be. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the back to my heart. few hundred pounds.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." floor. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "ARAT," I read. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "And how did he make his money?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again 1.F. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to this remarkable episode. three of the beryls in it, was missing. keep the flames under. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "But to whom?" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed one else, I think." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best then?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Yes, only one." "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "What is it?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "None." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I it." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "I cannot tell." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one and your relations to her." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as