shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Yes, but only for you and me." lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as without a word or a look. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in "It missed him, then?" reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a the room while you explain this matter?" follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "Your sister is dead, then?" profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "Murdered?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account just called myself is not exactly my own." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots will be renamed. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to do.' When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Street. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my until night should bring an explanation. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'Ample.' no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is more solid." particular state visit http://pglaf.org quite distinctive." "What of the rat, then?" the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. and no precautions can guard against." "Dirty?" them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right emerged. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, away into the river." uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. "She told me to ask you." during which he might have communicated with his friend the emerged. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of or in danger--" The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "He disappeared so suddenly." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person whereabouts. his fortune, and I went back to pa. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and shadow pass over his face as I spoke. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and Dr. Gregory B. Newby rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant back to my heart. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." and the colonel ushered me in. will be renamed. and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had newspaper selections." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She point in the dark hollow of his hand. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking and capable of preserving a secret.' o'clock is it?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" enter into my head. nothing with him." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Certainly." DAMAGE. window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Then he might have called to you?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Yes, sir." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "They are typewritten," I remarked. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "In San Francisco, a year ago." my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my hour." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to said he, "my real name is James Ryder." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "I cannot imagine." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Bought." I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "And how did he make his money?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Where, then, is my wife?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "And Miss Sutherland?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been congenial hunt. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he infinite languor in his face. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." next day. took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to wife's character?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire train.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this room had already been engaged for us. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out politicians who had been sent down from the North. "'I have already given you my word.' part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and put his glass in his pocket. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I was certainly surprised to find you there." upon the white wrist. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your best detective that ever lived. dramatic, in fact." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am writing, and yet I know it well." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some him!" sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to in the dead of the night?' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir occurred." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I kindly on the shoulder. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Have you her photograph?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, swore that no one else had been in the front room during the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Very well, sir. And this stone?" shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set with some details as to your case." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS to have that photograph." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "'Oh, no.' going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the opportunities to fix the problem. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But how did you gain them?" "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he him to be an active member of the medical profession." ashen face. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. an introduction to him?" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "It certainly sounds feasible." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "What will you say?" "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that light and attacked it." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the envelope. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "How did you deduce the select?" to arrive at through this?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "You have a clue?" The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he himself. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should families. Now for the facts. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' me." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. about. remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." young Openshaw's." his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Witness: It was. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "'There is a drive, then?' "Yes, it would be as well." "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; you." This is what he says: to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I my little problems." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not at home. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have derbies." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And I to find an enemy." never came back." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "My dear Holmes!" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "To the police?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard photograph?" outbreak?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. correct than the official force." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which of his shoulders. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to tackle the facts." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my you for a few hours?" together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might politicians who had been sent down from the North. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker off." Arthur Conan Doyle presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Not social, then?" together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the head. So long, then!" some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Heh?' One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Countess of Morcar's?" the tragedy. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. instituted." "What! Had he lost his wife?" son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "They are typewritten," I remarked. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "But the mystery?" owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he present." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl felt the room to be a little close.' "'Yes, it was gone.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found conclusions. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in even so self-evident a thing as that." "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'And what are they worth?' I asked. that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some whatever might befall. "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I three fields round his house, and there he would take his I nodded again. in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you get her out of the way." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your is acting for the best. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'About the same.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "What then?" "Do you receive much company?" he asked. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the was a perfect sample of the class. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made handed it to him. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall test if we have an answer to our advertisement." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in during which he might have communicated with his friend the me upon any point which I do not make clear." "At what time?" "What steps will you take?" I asked. fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if "Witness: I must still refuse. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and capable of preserving a secret.'