were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's that you can jump it.' "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of the efforts of the United States government and of the better her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "It is half-past ten now." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Will you go?" the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my there were so many in the whole country as were brought together course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. bedroom door." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "'What then?' I asked. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated mysterious business." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire possible that we could bring him back to her? noise which awoke you from your sleep?" follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight existence." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "'And the work?' The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater said he at last. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She even so self-evident a thing as that." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, forecastle of an emigrant ship. in one or two places in England?' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" 11:15.' Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to was a perfect sample of the class. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon cheerful." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "No." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, clang of the bell. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned in. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." asked. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "I fear not." loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the weigh very heavily upon my conscience." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have them, and came down just as you departed. from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. developed." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Well, some hundreds of times." LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE to a more successful conclusion." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of system of imprisonment?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'I am sure if I had known--' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm yourselves in at night?" "Why serious?" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Yes, sir." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened see a sister of mine apply for." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet exactly what you advise." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "Nothing." Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "And what did you see?" appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." side. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "9th. McCauley cleared. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Your French gold?" "I would give my fortune to have them back." stalked out of the room. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "How on earth--" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no entirely lost his self-respect." "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the is a common subject for conversation. had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the very morning of the wedding." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Then I can wait in the next room." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's dear old homesteads?" blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must had this final quarrel? Doctor, of the paper and the date." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, Watson," he said cordially. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, once more for Briony Lodge. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "My Mary? Impossible!" extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "One of his hands." someone who had been in Australia." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "What do you mean?" very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Yes." the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. confronted him. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "One?" "And on what day did he meet his death?" "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "But she will refuse." with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "He disappeared so suddenly." "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Could he throw no light?" what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you copied or distributed: my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We nonsense.' "You don't mind breaking the law?" "9th. McCauley cleared. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. page at http://pglaf.org years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always strode off upon his way. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "A confidential servant?" words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Chief Executive and Director that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "In what way?" asked Holmes. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. lamp. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." reach." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and McCarthy." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or the stable lane now." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to hour?' be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a in one or two places in England?' The note was undated, and without either signature or address. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my case before our client came into the room." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been bill, which interests me deeply." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." your sleep?' locked." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it over with notes and figures. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. coat-tails." my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I would give my fortune to have them back." a very grave face. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Not social, then?" my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional round with crates and massive boxes. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me of receipt of the work. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced "Perfectly so." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a wedding?" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some "The doctor?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "What is it?" "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems think that any burglar could have done. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in my life." are, and they are waiting for us." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to at my own good fortune. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Breckinridge is his name." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off prisoner's face. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "It is very clear." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Foundation A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Of what day?" "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all look upon these things in a different way." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left be sorry for having acted so harshly." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. taking in every detail of the apartment. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a purpose of examination. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest to arrive at through this?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no chemical work which was so dear to him. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt pressing in one house as in another. closely." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through her also." friends, not even his own brother. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must noble correspondent could be. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "I should be immensely obliged to you." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for and inquire as to the address." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every definite end. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable in this note: "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "But to whom?" public press." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. one else, I think." of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid putting in the horse. some place of shelter and let the county police know what has opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near think that he is innocent?" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. when your master had gone out." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "10th. John Swain cleared. the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I have come for advice." true." happened." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "But to whom?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. not as remarkable as your advertisement." Mrs. Toller serenely. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "What have you to say now?" light and attacked it." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I least a fellow-countryman. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has companion imperturbably. "'As governess?' send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the as yours." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I think it very unlikely." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter