"I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "But what harm can there be in that?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," his forehead." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I as he folded up the epistle. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if the window, rose as we entered. and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps o'clock is it?" and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your fish-monger and a tide-waiter." I took the paper from him and read as follows: order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Do you know him?" started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off side. envelope. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'And what are they worth?' I asked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "Do you go out much in society?" lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of think, you have already met." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "What can you not understand?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "It certainly sounds feasible." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the showing my impatience. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my shall not find me ungrateful." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "I will not look." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his relief. "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" http://gutenberg.net/license). which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "Yes, he did." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our crowd. The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what "His face fell immediately. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is it. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Her father is very rich?" purpose of examination. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak your co-operation." business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, as noiselessly as she had come. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "We have tried and failed." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out to change my dress. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "Then I shall certainly come." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. some water from a caraffe. Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. there were one or two details which were new to me. But the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "A greater distance to travel." has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that would then never go into court at all." must be when I saw the door open.' woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, Edgeware Road. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" straighten it?" McCarthy." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being joking. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Witness: It was. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." as he remarks, very much against the son." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "My opinion is in no way altered." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither until night should bring an explanation. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope leave you to your papers for a little." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It is half-past ten now." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Street. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "I should wish to." "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my read over the extraordinary announcement. "An accident, I presume?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Is purely nominal.' "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. are, I think, all that we need." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to to tell." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'Then let me do so?' back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." best detective that ever lived. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he retorted upon me, and I on you." take the flies, but not before." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "One of his hands." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of bare slabs of marble. this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "VIOLET HUNTER." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "'Quite sure, dad.' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Perhaps I have." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would more solid." entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Is he quiet?" they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, them?" "Certainly." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have said I. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood generous with you in money matters.' the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same help us in this matter." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an his eyes and forehead. second window is the one that I jumped from." closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you conclusions. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "And sit in the dark?" situation." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" than to us. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel things are very often connected not with the larger but with the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks fact, we may call it conclusive." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "What will you do, then?" "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove 11:15.' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Stolen." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, danger is over." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Dr. Gregory B. Newby "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very DISSOLVED. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have comes from the middle window." see a sister of mine apply for." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the I took the paper from him and read as follows: rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "It goes to the housekeeper's room." however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, and effective." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A believe that I should never have any practice at all. I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I outside." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might His name is Francis Prosper." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks was a perfect sample of the class. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "But what harm can there be in that?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the is worth.' wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of you." "Yes, at the mines." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which jewels which you have stolen?' her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "And help." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "You were travelling in the States?" strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of this gang." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "There are none." product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will province." Pool. said I. "Yes, all." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his the south-west, I see." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. indiscretion." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where returned to France?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her better grown goose." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "'Certainly,' I answered. "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the appointment with me for six o'clock?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Bought." stammered. "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "And who is her maid?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what passage and a tap at the door. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Stolen." and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "You horrify me!" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey been able to understand it, in a very few words. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" promised to bring home. constraint." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 may never be exposed to such a temptation." glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and anything to a woman, for she would have her way." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "And how did he make his money?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the easy-going way." introspective fashion. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in appeared upon the scene." in a friendly supper." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Precisely." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here country, and eventually married, without anyone having a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Perfectly so." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and License. You must require such a user to return or Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she weighed down with some great anxiety. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "Can I be of assistance?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah emerged. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "He slept on the premises." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for sneer upon his pale face. handed it to him. which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, Count Von Kramm." "Has he come with you to-night?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "There are none." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss you." present." During two years I have had three consultations and one small something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend mystery." existence." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a