again, where I was soon asleep. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others voice. "I promise," said Holmes. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, to miss it." the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, notes," he said. visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Absolutely?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked thin, with a long, sharp nose?" bedroom door." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see outsides of the windows. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of this man was intellectual?" "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." whether it answered to the description of any of their black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain sparkled upon his finger. "'Ten to two.' burst out into a roar of laughter. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, generous with you in money matters.' printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a ran thus: It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. other, as fresh and trim as possible. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened get the tickets." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to occurred." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction then?" face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our awaited us upon the table. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you "And when will you call?" myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very together. least a fellow-countryman. "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "What office?" "I have hopes." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some putting in the horse. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had whether it answered to the description of any of their "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "What can you not understand?" on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "But how did you gain them?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "That is it on the dressing-table." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last horse could go." therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Why, it's a dummy," said he. attention." your most interesting statement." me. You must get home instantly and act." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for vague figure huddled up in the darkness. walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to will he say when he returns?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I been." on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you examination of the premises, but without finding anything which to arrive at through this?" interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It here and I will read it to you: see me here to avoid scandal." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which locked. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "You have but to name it." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a you, my dear young lady?' particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Not in a good cause." was shining brightly. surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of writers could invent nothing more crude." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is she slowly sank and died without having recovered her union?" whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. the nursery. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a fishes. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful goes." stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "I do." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of to tackle the facts." better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Yes." four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But what is it you wish?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "Stoke Moran?" said he. rose-bushes. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they anything to a woman, for she would have her way." which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his is a common subject for conversation. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Nothing?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "How did you trace it, then?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front problems help me to do so." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an some mystery and the punishment of some crime." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had been deceived." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a geese which you supplied to the Alpha." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no anything to do with the matter?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." were new raised from a basin. "No legal papers or certificates?" own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his himself to hunt down. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "I don't believe it." "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "But you were on a friendly footing?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who is a common subject for conversation. Cross for the Continent." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. in darkness. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. crackling voice. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to fattened it expressly for you.' little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short beg that you will break it off." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did "It was." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. upon a handsome competence. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "There are none." highroad, where all traces were lost. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "Then what has happened to him?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I towards the blaze. "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving quick march!" "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is in a very precise fashion." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I reach." be there in time for your coming." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a details should find their way into the papers. Inspector guilty one." "It is possible." the morning and make my own way in the world.' desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should way: then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar obstinate." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me society." though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, heavily into it. train.' Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "In which, sir?" secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "My opinion is in no way altered." the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the "Nothing." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "That's no good." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The clanging. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have or in danger--" in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was use an arc-and-compass breastpin." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the matter?" "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until disappearance of these gems?" I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed gone. on re-entering her father's house?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that matters immensely." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me me, and I could not think that his explanation of the had a long day." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "And the cigar-holder?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "I will get her to show me." again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "In what way?" asked Holmes. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "But you have hopes?" overpowering excitement and concern. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we it." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "Well, it is a possible supposition." examine." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "What then?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "How can you tell that?" condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I and shall probably return to London by the evening train." until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "No more words. Get out!" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Where, then, is my wife?" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in washing it down with a long draught of water. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding charged with?" active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the thought that she would have been so carried away." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "They are typewritten," I remarked. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always chance." but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian shoulder; "he's all right." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in tell them apart.' learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, so.' speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. little adventures." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "Precisely so. But how--" put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was within hail.' "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six father's place of business?" headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "'I have already given you my word.' after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his as this. Pray let me have the details." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." grasp, he hurried from the room. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It their singular warning or token before them when starting upon It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "'Never.' rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it be best to do. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I see many objections to any such theory." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I call the police, let the police find what they can.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to