who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I troubles have been weighing upon his mind. really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, have accepted such a situation. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with of your young ladies.' intrusion of other matters." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his What do you deduce from it?" muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence 1.E.9. there." "I cannot think." have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" who was a member of your goose club." "What! a murderous attack?" face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" "'Ample.' parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for companion imperturbably. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the "What have you done?" asked Holmes. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, three of the beryls in it, was missing. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling look upon these things in a different way." wedding?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out knowledge of the world." ashen face. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her God! What an exposure! What can I do?" on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Yes, certainly." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to you." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long he. "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a had a long day." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That the Assizes." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you will not take me long to tell. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience his face which made him a very different person to the round, "You know me, then?" "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever nothing with him." Sutherland. you." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a ready to-morrow?' encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so at a side door. been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was horse could go." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "You saw the ventilator, too?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "Will you go?" wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your likely to be some crony of the landlady's." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this the station." who was a member of your goose club." in a friendly supper." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the coronet at all injured?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort returning from some small jollification and was making his way were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and noble correspondent could be. became a certainty. had picked up in the wood. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural closely." answered with a sidelong glance. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. touch that coronet?' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a was once confined in the cab my mission was practically permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and have this put in the evening papers." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 them?" my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting lids now and glanced across at his visitor. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and License. You must require such a user to return or expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but DISSOLVED. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose frequently gained my first real insight into the character of set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. remarked. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but the general public were present, then?" gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Deserted you?" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Who by?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, without a word or a look. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the this as likely?" there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. mystery!" have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view room. Cross for the Continent." vanished into the darkness. "Eh? What was that?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they crackling voice. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Was he the only applicant?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? newspaper selections." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between for its centre. depend upon my doing so.' "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "You have the photograph?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "How often?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But again on its way. permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend off." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." which we had just quitted. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the bed, and you in that chair." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered away into the river." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the have not had my rubber." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. think that he is innocent?" only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as be. against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the have one." "Oh, yes, easily." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Have you her photograph?" watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Ha! you find it so?" "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I answered that I had not. home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," eat it." blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Certainly." asked with his eyes open. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something stammered. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "The King of Scandinavia." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and over part of the map. "What do you read?" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had said he. the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Surrey." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major politicians who had been sent down from the North. "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside Holmes. so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of be there in time for your coming." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had the so-precious time, but come!' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon will be renamed. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I beg pardon." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Pray do so." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Yes, sir." sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a putting in the horse. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" strong reason behind." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed disappearance of the bride.'" cost them two and thirty pounds." money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." success. friend's singular character. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was nonsense.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to Dr. Gregory B. Newby started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "And I to find an enemy." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself Dr. Gregory B. Newby have established a very serious case against the son of the chill to my heart. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was eat it." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I shall continue with my miserable story. chambers. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he at once, for I have only half an hour." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so views." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lost his Christmas dinner." "'Yes, I promise.' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "I do." misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had girl said." company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Her father is very rich?" "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Here?" drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off and the church but not where the lady lived." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' the tragedy. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "You horrify me!" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT I shall continue with my miserable story. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a time." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the interest. They are important, you understand, without being as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Yes." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of to a light-house. returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was them present such singular features as the strange train of "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to have that photograph." insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Yes." desk. in his hands." in my life." Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at used to be." should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his forehead." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Pope's Court. Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a