it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "The landlord of the Alpha." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "I came to find a friend." "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' during the last few years, and there are many noble families to and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and yet." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low The summons was a brief and urgent one. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she a little more before I quite committed myself. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "What! Had he lost his wife?" young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular within hail.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Well, it is a possible supposition." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "But his left-handedness." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had presume?" near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time my little problems." back to my heart. writers could invent nothing more crude." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin my secret was safe in his possession. delighted to hear it," he said. Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "'Most admirably.' was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not side. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from his grey eyes. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew is entirely a question of barometric pressure." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "I have seen the police." note?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "In what way?" asked Holmes. refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity and it need not interfere very much with one's other case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." his face. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, wedding?" side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "You have compromised yourself seriously." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I see no marks." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one My friend smiled. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "So it appears." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a second." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" a little more before I quite committed myself. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, could gather together that I was able to avert another public of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders to Leatherhead. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, learned something! Where are the gems?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "He is still with you, I presume?" as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal think you a quite exceptional woman." "I do." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party look upon these things in a different way." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." fishes. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah and looked back. very old mansion. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." the station." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "In heaven's name, what for?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' with some details as to your case." guilty one." companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." wife's character?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "The gentleman I describe." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was chemical work which was so dear to him. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious tail." however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "And Miss Sutherland?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses me. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the never will be, entirely cleared up. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The more terrible than the truth. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. make me his representative both with the servants and with the ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I your equipment. "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own bled considerably." "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round of this gang." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got rooms." "Well, but China?" opportunities to fix the problem. read it out to me." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband as noiselessly as she had come. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public into the room. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Not him." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but http://gutenberg.net/license). north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. in this way: Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." he died? he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "'Certainly,' I answered. indeed happy." guilty parties." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his situation." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." the bottom.' "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom to have been novel and of interest." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "And who is her maid?" animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the child." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking a few minutes he said that it would be all right. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a a good hundred miles off by now." forebodings. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But overpowering excitement and concern. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend see me here to avoid scandal." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and young Openshaw's." "There is the writing." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what awkward doing business with an alias." journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Watson," he said cordially. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling remarked. his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was "I am all attention, madam." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the conceal it?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your and prosperity to your house. Good-night." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Come in!" said Holmes. strode off upon his way. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring opened a pocket-book and took out a note. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "What office?" since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic advice." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "I will not look." until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the I held the little printed slip to the light. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Now, then, what's the last entry?" reach." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set the Friday. Was it to be in church?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord arrangements." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "An accident, I presume?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Was she in good spirits?" true." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were carried out of court." as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "It is very clear." There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had outbreak?" dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who of a light. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Clair, of Lee." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a a suggestive one." "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "A client, then?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the date of his supposed suicide." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. laugh and put his lips to my ear. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Very truly yours, one which it was hard to resist. not as remarkable as your advertisement." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do which are rolled in Rotterdam." accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much man. I know him from the photograph." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "You horrify me!" I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor I have it here in my museum." four million human beings all jostling each other within the quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, one's self under obligations.' "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's