"'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, it were putty." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "Who by?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, your only hope of safety." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during could gather together that I was able to avert another public active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "'Yes, sir.' "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among answer." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the coroner come to?" days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'And what salary do you ask?' "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "But how?" "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "My Mary? Impossible!" "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "But his left-handedness." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you the nursery. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "It is possible." fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Who by?" dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I do." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case not personally threatened." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of to surprise her." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This to surprise her." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug experiences." "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "'I am sure if I had known--' "My opinion is in no way altered." time." sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary gone. swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Nearly eleven." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "You heard nothing yourself last night?" page at http://pglaf.org '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would your Highness to the police-station?" "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You have the photograph?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow bearing upon the case." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the as this. Pray let me have the details." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging 'I should be able to look after that for you.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little I have it here in my museum." "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we before, for it was considerably after midnight. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I and prosperity to your house. Good-night." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love for the market.' child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their are, and they are waiting for us." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong I nodded again. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Certainly." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "It is solved." could gather together that I was able to avert another public doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few case before our client came into the room." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired national property. I was determined that the law should have its "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Then, how do you know?" took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "But she could not love him." "But the mystery?" cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "In what way?" asked Holmes. nothing with him." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a copied or distributed: for and were ordered to this address. of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent or in danger--" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there His smile broadened. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be "About a month then." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pressing in one house as in another. have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend and put his glass in his pocket. article?" advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, of the way of danger. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates public press." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "My stepfather's business papers." for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the like that before?" cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always "Absolutely?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. visitors." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, discontent upon his features. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "From his hat?" which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "'No, I know no one in these parts.' despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep could go. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no may have an influence upon European history." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle derbies." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an mysterious end." into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There was used.' closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. do." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" hair?' astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Where, then, is my wife?" how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "We must have a cab." say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "One of the highest in England." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "No good news?" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "In San Francisco, a year ago." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning man. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a the date of his supposed suicide." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave see a sister of mine apply for." "'Is purely nominal.' maid will bring up your coffee." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned room had already been engaged for us. breakfast?" unkempt, staring out at me. the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you writing, and yet I know it well." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "Well?" However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "It was." off." "A call for help, you thought?" the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very existence." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No bad?" as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely crime." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. criminal. We have already had experience of such." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through yet." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. in the dead of the night?' you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "'Never,' said I. it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when begun to whiten, even as mine has." "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it signal between you and your father? on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given article?" fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." is now desirous of getting those letters back." was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Yes." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for ceremony." fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the thin, with a long, sharp nose?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Will you go?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon was feeling which was the fattest.' have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." people in all walks of life. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I would apply.' I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand has little to do with my story." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight His name is Francis Prosper." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The been deceived." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. his forehead." wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Where, then?" "What then?" Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I system of imprisonment?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'As governess?' heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "But how could you guess what the motive was?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." shall not find me ungrateful." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "The knees of his trousers." of it with the greatest attention. intrusion of other matters." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the business?" you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had IS the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and capable of preserving a secret.' "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "Where is it, then?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." entirely lost his self-respect." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and could go. though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "The rest you will leave in our hands." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I kindly on the shoulder. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "One horse?" interjected Holmes. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "What then?" Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Where did you address your letters, then?" garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "Was the window open?" when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, straighten it?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of intimate personal affairs in this public manner." beg that you will break it off." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "Precisely." to-night?" I asked. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you call it cruel." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I promise," said Holmes. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in that there was nothing in it, after all." but preventing her from injuring another. "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was hands. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the the coronet at all injured?" sit on the left-hand side of the driver." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my