"You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every pictures, libraries, or plate. fasten all the windows?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes touch that coronet?' to go into your room and bar your shutters?" in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he call you and give you the chance." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what clang of the bell. of the one which your family is now devouring." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize instincts rose up against that laugh. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps place of silver." "I think it very unlikely." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Sutherland. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with hour." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, have been better. It is all right." and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. exactly what you advise." moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "My dear Holmes!" "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "That you are never beaten." wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all nonsense.' desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sneer upon his pale face. "Ample." travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "And leave your case unfinished?" "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated this unhappy family?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord sound at heart." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "He is still with you, I presume?" We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "'As governess?' "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'There is a drive, then?' thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it charged with?" delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "But you would not advise me to refuse?" elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." and no precautions can guard against." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "No more words. Get out!" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has the south-west, I see." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to use an arc-and-compass breastpin." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know for the market.' I nodded to show that I had heard. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my to-night?' assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I do." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I suggested at once that there must be a communication between the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. developed." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "And leave your case unfinished?" round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to man. I know him from the photograph." out." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties neither fascinating nor artistic." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. hopeless attempt at recovering them." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of already referred to. society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "We must have a cab." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be said he. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Then, how do you know?" present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Have you good authority for what you say?" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "Precisely." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, the address that was given us in the advertisement. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the man. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to you." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It's nothing of the kind." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made me have 200 pounds?' "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" approach us with offers to donate. "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "And how?" to-night." I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "But I am all in the dark." the very letters. But what is this written above them?' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Clair, of Lee." "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" eat it." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, window when the police appeared." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "Why, what do you mean?" I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you pictures, libraries, or plate. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a people in all walks of life. charge against him will break down." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was himself to hunt down. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But you would not advise me to refuse?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She there." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "She told me to ask you." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "It missed him, then?" of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "It was an hour's good drive." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his garden below. said he. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' said he. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. definite end. upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been bears upon the case?" also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated more terrible than the truth. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short union?" ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up me. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "But he might be a bachelor." stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "My stepfather's business papers." drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an village inn over there?" "You horrify me." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "To the police?" I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get heavily into it. the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are chance at all." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a he died? "One?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled place no limit on the sum I may draw." among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "I don't believe it." "Do you know him?" call it cruel." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for be.' the child." "And it is--" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I guessed as much." either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Have you it here?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "You will not go there first?" spark where all is dark to me." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "Seven!" I answered. however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted visitors." "Dirty?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "'Yes, it was gone.' is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a I have it here in my museum." was the fact that his father should, according to his account, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to and I shall be with you presently." name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in dramatic, in fact." The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the little opening for the ventilator is." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical fire. You quite follow me?" whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was opened the door, and slipped through. "And you don't know his address?" was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden charge against him will break down." electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "'Stolen!' he cried. "Ha! you find it so?" burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his should be taken.' arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned despaired of." as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom use an arc-and-compass breastpin." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we correct than the official force." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a observed. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more as he folded up the epistle. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he detained." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord entirely devoid of interest." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry me where it went to?" this remarkable episode. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for too. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "I do." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, them?" awaited us upon the table. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "And is that all?" of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at would then never go into court at all." tension within him. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the fatally injured? in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One