"Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. better grown goose." "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be deduce something from that?" bonnet, and went out." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Miss Holder?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon "And on what day did he meet his death?" the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his business at Coburg Square is serious." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." invisible to me," I remarked. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "But your client--" "But what will you do?" with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for delirious. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, about. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael detective. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate used to be." for its centre. "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf It was close upon four before the door opened, and a go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had thin, with a long, sharp nose?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "It was an hour's good drive." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed status with the IRS. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all swore that no one else had been in the front room during the lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to triumphant cloud from his cigarette. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." think that he is innocent?" and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Lee, in the county of Kent." in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark my friend's incisive reasoning. smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." a monotonous occupation." slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the come either from the window or the door. My attention was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "It is true that I have been generally successful." forbidden door. "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low was a loud and authoritative tap. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. affection." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself place no limit on the sum I may draw." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Well." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant death." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Which are?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and several quiet little villages up there." fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a will he say when he returns?" "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office footfalls from the street. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A will be renamed. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, tightly behind him. smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a a little more before I quite committed myself. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham could not have written that. It is the German who is so original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who read it out to me." buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "No, finished." there." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your it." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly answered with a sidelong glance. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was your room." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Not yet." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of this as likely?" brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a fat-encircled eyes. tail." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I shall be delighted." "The rest you will leave in our hands." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to some other building. relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." records." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment my little problems." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager enough to aid us in our search." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated round with crates and massive boxes. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" entirely devoid of interest." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, door?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come clang of the bell. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS crackling voice. shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may was a lad." 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George jewels which you have stolen?' ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the purpose equally well?" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Nor running a chance of arrest?" she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "At what time?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that over his head with a sweet womanly caress. no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off carpenter." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." in him." indeed happy." case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I fear not." "Dirty?" correct than the official force." events than those which have happened in my own family." writer." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is behind me. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' silent! Oh, he will be silent!' his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he cheerful." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his grasp, he hurried from the room. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "He said that you could solve anything." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. for the market.' and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that question. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something ventilator." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My could not have written that. It is the German who is so it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And Miss Sutherland?" loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "'Not at all. I only doubt--' reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "None." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar unclasping of his long thin hands. round and wave him away like that.' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a reach." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "'Where could I find him?' "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in this remarkable episode. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's the armchair which I pushed forward for him. him nearly every evening." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Dirty?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when "Have you it here?" "Then what has happened to him?" could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like and no precautions can guard against." "And your mother is alive?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed seem to you to be relevant or not." warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, have got?" uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "No?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to been with you?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I approached. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a the running down." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when you." beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "You horrify me." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, long narrative. "And you thought he was pulled back?" clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the written. "A thing like a cleaver," said he. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying was it brought him the coronet? I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the nursery. door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need is acting for the best. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat the coronet in his hands?" helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Well, it is a possible supposition." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand even so self-evident a thing as that." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "And you can do nothing until then?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window certainly do as you advise." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I am following you closely," I answered. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended both be extremely obliged.' anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, thought that she would have been so carried away." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the of." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I charge against him will break down." "What have you to say now?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Imitated." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and child?' "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "It surprised me." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Nothing." has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "I cannot imagine." house for five minutes.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found