adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" asked. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be fat-encircled eyes. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so "'There is a drive, then?' prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "Stolen, then." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in thin, with a long, sharp nose?" successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with brain must have something in it." conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "Which are?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed the side-table." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' himself to tell his story. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire straightened it out again. interests were the same as his." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand way: Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just James Windibank. Voilà tout!" have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' again before evening." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax appeal." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a and the church but not where the lady lived." "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, questionable one." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "ARAT," I read. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on said he. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and I shall be with you presently." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his his huge brown hands. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my tension within him. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to leave you to your papers for a little." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is this remarkable episode. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Really! You surprise me." answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had in. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "What steps will you take?" I asked. Miss Holder?" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots touch that coronet?' house for five minutes.' residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of the matter?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in colour had been driven from his face. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers fishes. "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment husband's writing, madam." one of the states of the Union." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "Imitated." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Which dealer's?' weighed down with some great anxiety. that?' man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "No, I think that I'll take it." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Quite so. She has her freedom." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The singular points about the case. What did the police think of the Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Deserted you?" "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "No. His orders were to stay in the house." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Count Von Kramm." ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "The Coroner: What do you mean? the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed may never be exposed to such a temptation." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Did you become engaged then?" Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the families. Now for the facts. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "I do." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" any little problem which you may submit to me." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be you understand?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "And Miss Sutherland?" constraint." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me that threaten you." Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat annoyance, but no jest. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "I was sure that I might rely on you." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his been shamefully used." which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite on re-entering her father's house?" twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down possible that we could bring him back to her? "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "'You cannot say what it was?' "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them not within a twentieth part of the market price." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fatally injured? "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very married her." the coroner come to?" asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a that you wished to speak to me?' Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." strong reason behind." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Never,' said I. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. investigation." ashen face. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and the bed, and you in that chair." dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Sholtos." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your Chief Executive and Director "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a ashen face. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Where, then, is my wife?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first since then to throw any light upon what became of him." amused." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child very morning of my second wedding." residence of the great financier. dear old homesteads?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very matter." "He slept on the premises." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who my friend's incisive reasoning. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't interested in these little problems, and since you are good the nursery. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal here and I will read it to you: reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, and all of them with the keenest interest. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "How on earth--" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave friends, not even his own brother. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "He said that you could solve anything." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. arrested. You then--" "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Yes." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled power." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon questionable one." Have you good authority for what you say?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." seven miles from Eyford Station.' should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either looking up at the numbers of the houses." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard questionable one." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "No, thank goodness, she did not." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And I." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the get her out of the way." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he me. copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg present." which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And child?' There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "I was afraid that you were engaged." could gather together that I was able to avert another public behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE prove to be little relation between the different incidents of other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how even of instruction." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which annoyance, but no jest. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his families. Now for the facts. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that was already answered. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the made his money." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble know all about it," he snarled. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. the one as in the other." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief said he, "my real name is James Ryder." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into call for protection in the marriage market, for the present case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "Witness: I must still refuse. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Look there!" said he. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "You are all wrong." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. the very morning of the wedding." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Was he the only applicant?" "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "On Monday." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it made his money." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight upon the white wrist. a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most may have an influence upon European history." maid will bring up your coffee." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To fire. You quite follow me?" "How do you know, then?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands my secret was safe in his possession. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that I shall communicate with you." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "It missed him, then?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was his fortune, and I went back to pa. gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "He is dead," cried several voices. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. observed. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in are, I think, all that we need." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "It is a murder, then?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "My dear Holmes!" parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all giving me time to thank him. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Witness: I must still refuse. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and present strange and interesting features that it is no easy very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you of the one which your family is now devouring." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; very old mansion. "What are they?" "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?"