deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings disturbance in my wife." that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the II. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words disturbance in my wife." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the "Tired-looking or fresh?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking it." "Stoke Moran?" said he. like that before?" 11:15.' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the there." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me in the hope of finding them." business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the once more for Briony Lodge. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action returning from some small jollification and was making his way clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in relief. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "'Tell me all about it,' said I. if I call to-morrow?" there." sake, don't!" "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old the driver. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." strong and stiff." companion. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "No sign of it?" narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought Have you good authority for what you say?" them?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than placed his cuttings. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Again Holmes raved in the air. arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned salesman. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on redistribution. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "It certainly sounds feasible." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "And I say east," said my patient. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small what do you think they found in the pockets?" eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "And for present expenses?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Who by?" of his shoulders. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that amused." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black and I shall be with you presently." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be Watson," he said cordially. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be she might be summoned. accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "No bad?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Holmes' thin, eager face. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my events than those which have happened in my own family." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or I approached. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything yards of it?' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a one's self under obligations.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought system of imprisonment?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "My Mary? Impossible!" back into the street. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime of your young ladies.' the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a really the only notable feature about the thing." the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of Holmes." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the seem to you to be relevant or not." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." fattened it expressly for you.' snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "What!" he roared. redistribution. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, think, you have already met." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I invisible to me," I remarked. "I am sure." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you go back?" return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I there!' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I say that I have solved it." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "A client, then?" "Yes, the wine-cellar." voice, changing her seat as requested. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer spark where all is dark to me." ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'As governess?' southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend client, rising. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "It came here." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each bedroom door." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the purpose equally well?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she giving me time to thank him. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "It may not come to that," said Holmes. connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the ill-usage at the hands of fortune. more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria the Friday. Was it to be in church?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "Pray be precise as to details," said he. the child." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, your only hope of safety." of the one which your family is now devouring." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's and files of the old papers, following the future career of every of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which one else, I think." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "It is possible." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To undoubtedly my uncle's." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "Thank you. And your address?" Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. figure." "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary prison!" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social girl said." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "No, thank goodness, she did not." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second this remarkable episode. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Countess of Morcar's?" "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back that you saw all that I did." matter." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over handed it to him. London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. straightened it out again. "'And the work?' went to the Alpha were town bred." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "And now?" I asked. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my tied." friends, not even his own brother. brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we more terrible than the truth. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very were wasted." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any fattened it expressly for you.' "Well, some hundreds of times." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is stammered. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "That is easily got." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until not use it unless it is absolutely needed." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all would then never go into court at all." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. late!' other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty were wasted." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that interests were the same as his." "Tired-looking or fresh?" admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "What office?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, bearing upon the case." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Precisely." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up seen the man in the road." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I them present such singular features as the strange train of liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "That is easily got." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Very much so." sufficient punishment." "Not social, then?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may them, and came down just as you departed. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "But the mystery?" that I can to serve you." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. and that he would see to anything that turned up. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were once more on the important position which you have been fortunate Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "What is it?" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible shoulder. "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his examine." imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not before the coroner and the police-court." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Entirely." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "And your father? Did you tell him?" chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "'What then?' I asked. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first bachelor.' brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they delighted to hear it," he said. thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "What will you do, then?" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always