"That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider cost them two and thirty pounds." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. mysterious end." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; begun to whiten, even as mine has." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Well." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was father's young wife. human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I am all attention, madam." particular state visit http://pglaf.org Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a nights." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending front of the hall door has given its name to the place. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who Count Von Kramm." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table with frightened eyes at his accuser. heavily into it. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Was she in good spirits?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was the address that was given us in the advertisement. hand, madam?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his call you and give you the chance." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a status with the IRS. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate been shamefully used." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general to that open window." think that he is innocent?" surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "ARAT," I read. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the there has been an enclosure here!" gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "He disappeared so suddenly." experiences." "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No sign of it?" father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely knowledge of the world." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "But you would not advise me to refuse?" and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first chair. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I individual and becomes the badge of a society." be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon them, and came down just as you departed. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few o'clock is it?" signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that yards of it?' suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I am all attention, madam." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution delirious. through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the must compliment you." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what and inquire as to the address." "Nothing." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were mysterious business." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to father's young wife. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his answered with a sidelong glance. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news newspaper selections." "Which are?" one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "It missed him, then?" "But it has twice been burgled." villagers almost as much as their master. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows his eyes and forehead. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." the one as in the other." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "Here?" (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "The King of Scandinavia." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not you found me to-night--and running through the front room she never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in again, where I was soon asleep. with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open the best of training." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few eat it." Lee, in the county of Kent." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Quite so. She has her freedom." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner any." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then bird I ate is country bred." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." Again Holmes raved in the air. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup to miss it." "Well, but China?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It was an hour's good drive." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "Yes, sir." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the which it had come upon my father." introspective fashion. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." was a loud and authoritative tap. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Only as much as we can deduce." you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a a suggestive one." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." chance." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. house for five minutes.' chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of distance from the station, and there we found the young lady ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. hopeless attempt at recovering them." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were II. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. Eyford." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "I have solved it." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been unkempt, staring out at me. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Certainly, madam." humiliation." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there of his shoulders. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money matter." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "Pray let us have it, for all that." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'Yes, sir.' returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "But what harm can there be in that?" his eyes and forehead. "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of and laid it on the table. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to rooms." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "And you can do nothing until then?" dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "Yes." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "The murder was done with it." point in the dark hollow of his hand. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business chill to my heart. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I a little more before I quite committed myself. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair neither fascinating nor artistic." machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" read it out to me." cigars in the box." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that fire. You quite follow me?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the Holmes' thin, eager face. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I Doctor, of the paper and the date." hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air to where he stood hid behind the curtain. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative tell him that I know him to be innocent." discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hereditary King of Bohemia." the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that happened." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and secret." "No, I am descending." Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the morning." whole matter to your consideration." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two him to go away.' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Where did he live, then?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire go from here to the Strand." could go. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a himself to tell his story. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard everything which you would wish to know." turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of photograph?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave my secret was safe in his possession. another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a is," said he presently: be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off their singular warning or token before them when starting upon could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect goes." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I weary and pale-looking. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when if she died from some sudden fright." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon