"'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But his left-handedness." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful fact, we may call it conclusive." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of late." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have the very morning of the wedding." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "To an end?" diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do simple cases which are so extremely difficult." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. side. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding Sutherland?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the For additional contact information: I nodded to show that I had heard. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some villagers almost as much as their master. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little should be taken.' must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "But I am all in the dark." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, an introduction to him?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "To the police?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. looking up at the numbers of the houses." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk your only hope of safety." copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Yes, I have one waiting." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is something of him before." "No. What a strange idea!" was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly outside." London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled of Fenchurch Street." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "What, then, did Peterson do?" just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "In what way?" asked Holmes. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I am sure." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "A greater distance to travel." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You bill, which interests me deeply." chance." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by where she found matters as described by the last witness. it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit dates and names. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of his shoulders. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "She told me to ask you." star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this papers must be those that are destroyed.' to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after affection." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She hands. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are and a shock of very red hair. "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." peculiar to him. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent views." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it John Swain, of St. Augustine. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "'Yes, it was gone.' "What will you say?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. frequently gained my first real insight into the character of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "What of the rat, then?" probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it Holmes' thin, eager face. "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Here?" have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. may have an influence upon European history." was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "No more words. Get out!" leave you to your papers for a little." "That you are never beaten." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the disturbance in my wife." assist you in forming an opinion." through." McCarthy's innocence. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Absolutely none." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps depend upon your compliance." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the side-table." and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" lips." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while bachelor.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he morning." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, despair." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "No more words. Get out!" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining to surprise her." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "She showed me, as I told you she would." to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the so-precious time, but come!' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "But you have hopes?" confronted him. in his power. man. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" posted to-day." the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the inner apartment." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "But of what society?" up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Where, indeed?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the cup of tea. to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had this final quarrel? experiences." the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "How often?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, corner of the building. as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My me what he had done with the three missing stones. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "'Yes, sir.' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Literary Archive Foundation strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the "'Ten to two.' "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a it with his own hands." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of in this way: no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his might have a private word with us. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's desk. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the writing, and yet I know it well." perplexity from it to my illustrious client. carriage. It was a chestnut." "How did that help you?" He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one success. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Perfectly so." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Yes." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "And who is her maid?" as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. lips." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." morning." such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He weighed down with some great anxiety. strength of mind to control. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Then how many are there?" Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the coronet in his hand?" or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. distinguish the words: lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY been with you?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the Assizes." fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to and wait." name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong useful material for showing traces. The double line a little face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have row." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save that there was nothing in it, after all." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a of campaign. The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "Perhaps we may make them less so." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "Whose house is it?" my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself distance from the station, and there we found the young lady seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America tail." during which he might have communicated with his friend the through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet "So I heard. You have him here?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I problems help me to do so." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case desk. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, on re-entering her father's house?" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "Yes, but only for you and me." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it woman who has had her own way to make in the world. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Why serious?" 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Quite so." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give better in every way that they should make their position a little shoulder; "he's all right." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project chance." of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding the inner apartment." carpenter." my friend's incisive reasoning. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "A client, then?" does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately "Only as much as we can deduce." road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had was already answered. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow What do you deduce from it?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "Frequently." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been showing my impatience. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length pressing in one house as in another. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and highroad, where all traces were lost. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight absolutely follow my advice in every respect." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It must be recovered." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under whereabouts. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every my former friend and companion. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "But it has twice been burgled." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the