such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and meant it for the best. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and heavy and sharp instrument." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was come either from the window or the door. My attention was 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I your equipment. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in "I have come for advice." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "How many? I don't know." been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, is now desirous of getting those letters back." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "I cannot say that I have." "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting most interesting one." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless "Never." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no other, as fresh and trim as possible. "Here?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to a monotonous occupation." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a What do you deduce from it?" "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Could he throw no light?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Yes." ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we telegram would bring me down to your help." within hail.' so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." house for five minutes.' "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "No legal papers or certificates?" You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked people in all walks of life. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "The decline of his fortunes, then?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Nothing?" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in three of the beryls in it, was missing. which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had before the coroner and the police-court." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "By no means." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Did you become engaged then?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was address. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "I shall most certainly do so." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into most important business. It is probable that he will be away all of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it of them has the shutters up.' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the room. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, trifles." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon carriage. It was a chestnut." other means.' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. other means.' Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. pound a week." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "I would pay ten." some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to to me. really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock begun to whiten, even as mine has." flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a just called myself is not exactly my own." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Very. But will he see it?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." 'please.'" yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "Pray be precise as to details," said he. client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as did not hear it also.' are, I think, all that we need." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "It is his hat." "One horse?" interjected Holmes. of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," now. It seems that there had been some informality about their grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, where Mr. Fordham shows you.' away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment way in." "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' strong reason behind." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold your only hope of safety." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Certainly not.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is wall." my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, and it need not interfere very much with one's other "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of outside. "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror to Leatherhead. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable galvanised. wanted for ourselves." enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been have had none more fantastic than this." have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "By no means." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of But Holmes shook his head gravely. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to wedding?" "Then I can wait in the next room." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley meant." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my will be renamed. shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "'Why that?' I asks. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached page at http://pglaf.org business." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the and a shock of very red hair. "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your the iron safe, which he closed upon it. security.' and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Really! You surprise me." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room hand, madam?" of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, of a light. They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you him. remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the yards of it?' "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the one as in the other." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended unclasping of his long thin hands. parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this peculiar to him. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger and the whole place is in a blaze." which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Yes." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads third from London." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of in a very precise fashion." "What steps will you take?" I asked. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "Not him." his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second stalked out of the room. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was house for five minutes.' "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' nonsense.' and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was obstinate." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in quickly through a disagreeable task. "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few me upon any point which I do not make clear." hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set tell them apart.' determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, You want to know what became of those geese?" "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "'Quite sure, dad.' to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a which was all perfectly true. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or certainly do as you advise." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door meant." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are followed. "'Stolen!' he cried. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "'Ten to two.' at my remark. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive leaning back in his chair. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "But his lameness?" fatally injured? said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "No, I had a dozen." and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this six. Come in!" throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will to change my dress. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Get out!" said he. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and get the tickets." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "Precisely." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will back alive. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "I cannot say that I have." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a name is different." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of way: constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known experiences." you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Never." "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "And how did he make his money?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "No, my brougham is waiting." copied or distributed: greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "How often?" smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the very letters. But what is this written above them?' interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "It looks newer than the other things?" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have where Mr. Fordham shows you.' Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "The landlord of the Alpha."