individual and becomes the badge of a society." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "'How far from the body?' helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to his cane at the bell-pull. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. constraint." "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "I cannot say that I have." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "It's nothing of the kind." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed confronted him. to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the rose-bushes. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are heavily into it. paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "'Most admirably.' which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Who by?" "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to me. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but head. So long, then!" "Yes, at the mines." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." investigation." you in yours." house for five minutes.' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My situation." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "But it has twice been burgled." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in companion quietly. highroad, where all traces were lost. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "That is easily got." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried spare." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I took the paper from him and read as follows: hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and copied or distributed: again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for his face. "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But what is it you wish?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "One of his hands." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "'Where to?' "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg "And how?" Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I heavy and sharp instrument." intrusion of other matters." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. for its centre. appeared upon the scene." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. whether it answered to the description of any of their Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Which are?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the never will be, entirely cleared up. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "How did you deduce the select?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. fasten all the windows?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "And did you observe any change in her then?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "Yes." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "'What, the red-headed man?' It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his to change my dress. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "I guessed as much." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I at my own good fortune. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey client, rising. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "And did you observe any change in her then?" keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. "Upon what point?" "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and cheerful." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to change my dress. clang of the bell. giving me time to thank him. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the newspaper selections." "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being asked. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to business." of Mr. Rucastle's." which are rolled in Rotterdam." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which Doctor, of the paper and the date." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter Street. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he I took the paper from him and read as follows: before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, said he. looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "Of what day?" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, not fit the lock." "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him notes," he said. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his miles off. arrested. You then--" "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were chair. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the of the one which your family is now devouring." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have arrested. You then--" most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Count Von Kramm." facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are feature." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I had died away into the silence from which it rose. "I am about to be married." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "Not I." "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed to-night." strong and stiff." straighten it?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away what these perils are?" dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm said he, "my real name is James Ryder." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the a monotonous occupation." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "I have my revolver," said I. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "Pray do so." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the upon the white wrist. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" on in his house." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features Arthur Conan Doyle "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one better grown goose." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'I shall certainly be there.' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the to surprise her." congenial hunt. "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door way in everything. "And what then?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and remarked. and the church but not where the lady lived." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the could not have written that. It is the German who is so Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to sound at heart." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Was she in good spirits?" other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, breakfast." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is particular state visit http://pglaf.org The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some absolutely follow my advice in every respect." allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "Yes, it was twisted." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Yes, the wine-cellar." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would I nodded to show that I had heard. "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us there is a decided draught." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well come either from the window or the door. My attention was corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "One of his hands." business came to an end." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of London for the present?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down galvanised. crackling voice. and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "My stepfather's business papers." Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has guilty one." I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "No. His orders were to stay in the house." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with nothing of it?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that threaten you." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest security.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "But of what society?" it with his own hands." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had "No, but the enclosure is." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "But how did you gain them?" bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "And I say east," said my patient. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people whereabouts. instincts rose up against that laugh. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight to you." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "I cannot tell." of your young ladies.' remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, individual and becomes the badge of a society." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the His name is Francis Prosper." could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "At the wedding breakfast." ceremony." "She told me to ask you." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "I fear not." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Witness: Nothing definite. of Mr. Rucastle's." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from investigation." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly affection." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the