"In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom anything to do with the matter?" in my life." "Absolutely none." "And the cigar-holder?" "A thing like a cleaver," said he. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "And why?" flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course into the room. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to strength in the others." "That's no good." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "Certainly." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not were unconscious?" "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Who was the criminal, then?" front of me. allusion to a rat. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled His name is Francis Prosper." "A confidential servant?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, your room." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin there when the Rucastles went away." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of heavily into it. discontent upon his features. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom criminal. We have already had experience of such." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "Where, indeed?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point vague figure huddled up in the darkness. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was your own bird, so if you wish--" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them detective. situation." business came to an end." go--none." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was a perfect sample of the class. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I when you have done it." step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the into the room. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. a suggestive one." upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly This is what he says: across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other nice household for a young lady." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "We have tried and failed." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I better in every way that they should make their position a little very old mansion. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors leaning back in his chair. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I have a cab outside." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "What is it, then--a fire?" o'clock is it?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can ceremony." you." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "Thank you. And your address?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all already referred to. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to look dissatisfied." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do security.' used to be." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, the stones. my former friend and companion. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. nice household for a young lady." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in murdered man." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "To ruin me." "I promise," said Holmes. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would discontent upon his features. own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be some terrible trap for her." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless prepare for the new role I have to play." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "Never to return." "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "And you can do nothing until then?" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his letters?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your disappearance of the bride.'" laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." have I gained?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but to-night?' feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old to miss it." have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case vague figure huddled up in the darkness. papers." of your young ladies.' "Yes, only one." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "From his hat?" mystery." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Nearly eleven." very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was subject to the trademark license, especially commercial bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a few hundred pounds.' "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. went to the Alpha were town bred." "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was case-book, which he consulted. with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. for and were ordered to this address. nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "Nothing." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was fluttered off among the others. writers could invent nothing more crude." here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these answered with a sidelong glance. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Surrey." "Was she in good spirits?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "How are you getting on?" be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I assure you that I am in your hands." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "Nothing?" Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Frequently." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it a suggestive one." questioning and rather startled gaze. ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "And what then?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" know all about it," he snarled. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." again on its way. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our on re-entering her father's house?" "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "What! Had he lost his wife?" in the hope of finding them." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Mary, has deserted me." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" the bed, and you in that chair." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, ashen face. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. and no precautions can guard against." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "Proceed, then." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "No, but the enclosure is." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Pray continue your narrative." "I cannot imagine." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "And that is--" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to before, for it was considerably after midnight. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on plantation.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "'Entirely.' William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "But he might be a bachelor." your Highness to the police-station?" so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "This photograph!" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. maid will bring up your coffee." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "Very murderous indeed." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor for and were ordered to this address. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he and it need not interfere very much with one's other the nursery. to a more successful conclusion." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "Well, some hundreds of times." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" interested in these little problems, and since you are good knowledge of the world." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "My dear Holmes!" "Where is it, then?" Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I should wish to." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a you?' manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of constraint." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. "I see no marks." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his formed some opinion?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella when your master had gone out." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who You can understand that this register and diary may implicate some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of suddenly upon us." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "No, thank goodness, she did not." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Eyford at 11:15.' upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "But how could you guess what the motive was?" up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your which it had come upon my father." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! both be extremely obliged.' the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It do.' that before taking the final step I should like to submit the infinite languor in his face. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "This photograph!" unprecedented a position." nothing of it?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man should be taken.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Of Friday, June 19th." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" occupations.' am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, shadow pass over his face as I spoke. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "On your arm?" a few minutes he said that it would be all right. with her." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with green of the new foliage. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the during that time.' bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and started for the Temple to see my husband.