typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the in darkness. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the fashion which was peculiar to him. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love The summons was a brief and urgent one. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious place of silver." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Yes. He waved his hands." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "Yes, there are nearly always some there." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "So it appears." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at which it had come upon my father." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian cost them two and thirty pounds." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it down. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was a loud and authoritative tap. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "I have seen the police." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I the south-west, I see." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of rose-bushes. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office upon an income of about 60 pounds." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "When did it break out?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "And how?" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, seem to you to be relevant or not." the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "Pray do so." of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "But who is he?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do room had already been engaged for us. Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of Dr. Gregory B. Newby post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not occurred." "How often?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Yes." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my these bleak autumnal evenings." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I goes." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. burst out into a roar of laughter. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to returned to France?" "I see many objections to any such theory." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "When did she vanish, then?" "I will not look." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and closely." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether generous with you in money matters.' without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always place of silver." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than had formerly been in part my own. light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "Entirely." had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "Why did you pick him?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which get the tickets." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for forebodings. cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, is acting for the best. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that call it cruel." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." have not had my rubber." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from sneer upon his pale face. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Not in a good cause." hair?' upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Nothing." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "You have compromised yourself seriously." posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "Then the page we have seen--" to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Oh, fresh and glossy." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Of Friday, June 19th." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our noting anything else of interest. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "I was mad--insane." look upon these things in a different way." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I whole matter to your consideration." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope footfalls from the street. "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "What have you to say now?" massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right morning." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City assist you in forming an opinion." "Well, some hundreds of times." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "One of his hands." a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my Stoke Moran." Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, colour had been driven from his face. in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, letters?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'You cannot say what it was?' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "Upon what point?" business in the City. She little knew what. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the exactly what you advise." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "Ample." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend strength of mind to control. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the hardly wander." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. interests were the same as his." without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "In answer to an advertisement." swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to always that they were such commands as a lady might with of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." knowledge of the world." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' someone who had been in Australia." "Nothing." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' that?' hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on burst into a hearty fit of laughter. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' "Game for a morning drive?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying closing the door. before the coroner and the police-court." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at and looked back. "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the information in his hands the value of which he did not himself can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, be best to do. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable gentleman's clothes. whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his bird I ate is country bred." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us province." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the have accepted such a situation. in one or two places in England?' "Yes, but only for you and me." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like not within a twentieth part of the market price." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "In the cells." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Yes, that is the Crown." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Well, it is a possible supposition." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such asked with his eyes open. away into the river." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "'Stolen!' he cried. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "We were both in the photograph." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that be sorry for having acted so harshly." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really second." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and to-morrow." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' bedroom door." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered experiences." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "No, but the enclosure is." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. lips." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of forecastle of an emigrant ship. Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "You know me, then?" you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they any little problem which you may submit to me." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very she used." have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position taking in every detail of the apartment. could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his beg that you will break it off." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Stolen." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Holmes, the busybody!" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. shadow pass over his face as I spoke. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "The landlord of the Alpha." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the go--none." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. is a common subject for conversation. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an your co-operation." followed. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull This is what he says: "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter ordinary clothes on?" ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her Miss Holder?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "My last client of the sort was a king." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "I have come for advice." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. never to learn it at all." shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke door?" 'please.'" he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. whatever might befall. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." fashion which was peculiar to him. "And now?" I asked. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "That sounds a little paradoxical." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Well, but China?" least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had clanging. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally bonnet, and went out." "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Why, it's a dummy," said he. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included public press." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and think that any burglar could have done. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on."