loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional noble correspondent could be. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the system of imprisonment?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been head. So long, then!" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I strong reason behind." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was your billet.' collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by have I gained?" "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk at my remark. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my business in the City. She little knew what. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Then I am your man." searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "And from a noble client?" done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. returning from some small jollification and was making his way unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "He slept on the premises." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Have you good authority for what you say?" "May I see it?" "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my used to be." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other what these perils are?" find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, observed. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "By no means." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your call it cruel." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily conversation I have gathered that they have been married about recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" breakfast." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "I promise," said Holmes. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. village inn over there?" drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to crime. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "9th. McCauley cleared. fait accompli?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off his huge brown hands. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was observed. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "I have seen the police." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "Entirely." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in your London, you will know that the office of the company is had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "But I am all in the dark." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "None." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips lips." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "And what then?" ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank keep the flames under. "How are you getting on?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. own family. the nursery. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But your troubles." he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Proceed, then." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to the tragedy. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an nonsense.' every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the is now desirous of getting those letters back." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. bird of prey. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." photograph a cabinet?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: note?" once more for Briony Lodge. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "So I am. Very much so." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography him!" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if woven round him. "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at obstinate." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum crime. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of friends, not even his own brother. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. yourselves in at night?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a introspective fashion. "I will try. What is it?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit "Entirely." my little problems." London for the present?" that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his your sleep?' Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the spare." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "In the cells." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a must be when I saw the door open.' pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "You think so, too?" "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "On Monday." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Certainly, madam." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual should be so warm over such a trifle." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in the inquest, and which are worth considering." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass grasp, he hurried from the room. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," 'please.'" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of shoulder. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." presented which may be striking and bizarre without being dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the chamber." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he asked with his eyes open. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the than to us. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what good-night and bustled off upon her way. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his lamp in his hand. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "'Oh, no.' McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that breakfast and whispered something to her husband. however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, said he at last. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared and no precautions can guard against." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father mystery." large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and that he would see to anything that turned up. note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his presume?" Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Does that suggest anything?" shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. matter over." "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his felt the room to be a little close.' Holmes. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "He slept on the premises." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away him!" foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Entirely." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Upon what point?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that details." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want standing smiling on the door-step. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must the coronet in his hands?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was comes from the middle window." "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story for securing the situation." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. go back?" now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing learned something! Where are the gems?" "The King of Scandinavia." acted in my house last night?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "And the cigar-holder?" address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass had picked up in the wood. he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I with the outside air!" river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "But how?" "'I shall certainly be there.' address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "He is dead," cried several voices. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "What will you say?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's but preventing her from injuring another. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and empty. were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two skylight. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts used to be." "I will do it." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." fuss that is made over them." expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "I will get her to show me." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "How are you getting on?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive there were so many in the whole country as were brought together wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "By no means." wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "9th. McCauley cleared. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in his huge brown hands. "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have allusion to a rat. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very your bag." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "But I am all in the dark." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "Not I." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "That is not always so easy." her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" for and were ordered to this address. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Not I." hour." "She walked into the breakfast-room." weapon." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "So I have heard." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had