invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you maiden herself was most instructive." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. could go. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy excitement. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Imitated." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, depend upon your compliance." speckled band?" whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler place of silver." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "So I have heard." him and tried to hold him back. lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "Absolutely?" grasp, he hurried from the room. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Leave Paddington by the 11:15." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a as this. Pray let me have the details." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "Never." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than "Where, then, is my wife?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'I have already given you my word.' It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "And you can do nothing until then?" direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Two days later this same performance was gone through under discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to upon the shelf for the interim." his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was could gather together that I was able to avert another public and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated desk. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "And why in hopes?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "Certainly, madam." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the matter?" danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the coronet in his hand?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can flock.' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "I don't say that. Perhaps." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "At what time?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" place of silver." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" had a long day." it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice a few minutes he said that it would be all right. too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still even of instruction." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her national property. I was determined that the law should have its ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "But you have hopes?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be new acquaintance to Baker Street. redistribution. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "I see no marks." "Which are?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, father's young wife. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to Holmes." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on trying to your nerves." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came guilty parties." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "And what did you learn from him?" chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "You'll never persuade me to believe that." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "His face fell immediately. foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but his face which made him a very different person to the round, so.' "Your presence might be invaluable." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table that look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "Yes, it would be as well." homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most felt the room to be a little close.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "Then I do not see the point." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, London for the present?" whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud and glanced through. you." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my present." certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite "I was sure that I might rely on you." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she his huge brown hands. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "So I heard. You have him here?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom "My photograph." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do dramatic, in fact." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a "The gentleman I describe." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you humiliation." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is of your young ladies.' overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I minor matters until to-morrow." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "I have solved it." me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "He slept on the premises." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "One of his hands." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual and I shall be with you presently." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in most interesting one." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able against a man in the prime of life?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors all that?" see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the populous neighbourhood." think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Holmes, the busybody!" "I have a cab outside." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly crackling voice. dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search The telegram which we eventually received came late one night had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "There are none." were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "At the wedding breakfast." his eyes and forehead. the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "It is very kind of you." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "Well, it is a possible supposition." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to I nodded again. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which morning." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for Serpentine Avenue. outsides of the windows. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "So I am. Very much so." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of I nodded again. "What have you to say now?" "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "The King of Scandinavia." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' distance from the station, and there we found the young lady recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "How did you trace it, then?" Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country four million human beings all jostling each other within the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "And how in the world did you find them?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the the tragedy. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "The landlord of the Alpha." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "No, thank goodness, she did not." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over here and I will read it to you: woman." Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very upon an income of about 60 pounds." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Yes." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY affair. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch galvanised. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could this unhappy family?" as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which present." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the said Mr. Holder. wedding?" The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "And is that all?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." the little opening for the ventilator is." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in helping a boy to put up the shutters. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "In answer to an advertisement." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should Sutherland. informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock room had already been engaged for us. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I cannot imagine." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so said he. seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Very murderous indeed." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "I cannot imagine." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have than was visible to me." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "'What would be the hours?' I asked. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I suddenly upon us." such person." "She will not sell." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." disturbance in my wife." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "Where did you address your letters, then?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I astonishment. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an unclasping of his long thin hands. of the way of danger. are windows in it, of course?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of DAMAGE. turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid charged with?" never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and put his glass in his pocket. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Can I be of assistance?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my be.' In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door,