the Red-headed League." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into is a common subject for conversation. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the was feeling which was the fattest.' reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable to a more successful conclusion." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not stepfather?" said he at last. just called myself is not exactly my own." Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' you?' intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? three of the beryls in it, was missing. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them whether it answered to the description of any of their more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which forebodings. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." business." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is the house with me." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little secret." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. up this clue while it is still hot." the stable lane now." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway bearing upon the case." lost nothing by them." chambers. tear off another piece?' "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as bird I ate is country bred." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a think you a quite exceptional woman." of your young ladies.' resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Where is it, then?" "Yes, he did." and the colonel ushered me in. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, DAMAGE. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "Witness: Nothing definite. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Oh, no.' "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Certainly." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw sake, don't!" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I am following you closely," I answered. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "How are you getting on?" the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Where is it, then?" perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door late." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the direction." with you?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, charge against him will break down." "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and article?" There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of campaign. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name as he folded up the epistle. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a the coronet in his hands?" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning as he remarks, very much against the son." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a memory. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. which are rolled in Rotterdam." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And what did you see?" "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting wall." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "None." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and compunction about shooting them down." "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place fashion which was peculiar to him. went to the Alpha were town bred." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been point in the dark hollow of his hand. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It is to him that this trophy belongs." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "Has he come with you to-night?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Nothing." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "Your French gold?" to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Yes." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "What! Had he lost his wife?" "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the a little more before I quite committed myself. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "Then what has happened to him?" To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he events than those which have happened in my own family." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of seen the man in the road." o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending chance." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and some place of shelter and let the county police know what has pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "I say that I have solved it." brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his very peculiar words of the dying woman?" agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "No, thank goodness, she did not." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "I came to find a friend." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions nothing with him." young Openshaw's." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out be.' Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face strength." man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, Watson," he said cordially. Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to outbreak?" the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the gone before you can get him to hospital." dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and legal crime." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Frequently." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "The landlord of the Alpha." It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his it right.' as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, one's self under obligations.' "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so status with the IRS. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "And who is her maid?" "You have but to name it." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll The King stared at him in amazement. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" for its centre. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Have you good authority for what you say?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird danger is over." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A business in the City. She little knew what. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Doctor, of the paper and the date." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the asked with his eyes open. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might conclusions. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been "'I am sure if I had known--' and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." newspaper selections." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited events than those which have happened in my own family." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting place of silver." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from was a lad." upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong events than those which have happened in my own family." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Yes, at the mines." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." Holmes' thin, eager face. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is at my own good fortune. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was at my own good fortune. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "He might." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "One horse?" interjected Holmes. circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. question," said Holmes, smiling. they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such became a certainty. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, and the colonel ushered me in. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), make me his representative both with the servants and with the him to go away.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I said he. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "You have a clue?" thirty. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "What will you say?" during which he might have communicated with his friend the even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "A confidential servant?" more terrible than the truth. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Nothing." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too are windows in it, of course?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Perfectly so." in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "What office?" "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I should wish to." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of sooner or later she must fall a victim. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Yes." This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful events, Mr. Windibank!" behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. Farm upon the left." straighten it?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor gone before you can get him to hospital." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story cigars in their mouths. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "No, finished." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you