having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen in him." "He slept on the premises." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. derbies." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." congratulate you again." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these "That is also quite modern," said the lady. "I have solved it." "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." that "What is it, then--a fire?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, enter into my head. "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin perplexity from it to my illustrious client. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my to-morrow." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a and laid it on the table. lumber-room." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat ashen face. grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two dear old homesteads?" "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional was it brought him the coronet? at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch the coronet in his hand?" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that of campaign. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of States. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the stones. awkward doing business with an alias." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he matters immensely." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "It came here." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It's nothing of the kind." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Pray do so." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy the bottom.' puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their the stones. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. one of them." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "BALLARAT." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles arrested. You then--" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., friend's singular character. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside brandy and water within his reach. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Pope's Court. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the woman who has had her own way to make in the world. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "It is a murder, then?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "By all means." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to DISSOLVED. definite end. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in served to weaken the effect. "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that with the outside air!" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" companion. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "That sounds a little paradoxical." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "But she could not love him." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Yes." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question intimate personal affairs in this public manner." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "Have you her photograph?" once more for Briony Lodge. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I lectures into a series of tales." wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came said Mr. Holder. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their tell him that I know him to be innocent." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "'Yes, I promise.' "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither been shamefully used." minor matters until to-morrow." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "What can you not understand?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "No bad?" clanging. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it the room while you explain this matter?" foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All weary and pale-looking. maid will bring up your coffee." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which been anything against him. He had for years been known as a look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring delirious. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the salesman. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house come either from the window or the door. My attention was I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that more solid." "I have a cab outside." thin legs towards the fire. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent perplexity from it to my illustrious client. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "'And the work?' face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I out of this horrible affair." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "By no means." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "None." all?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "In San Francisco, a year ago." "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "Yes, it was twisted." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "Of Friday, June 19th." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" hour?' commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window comes from the middle window." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Awake, Watson?" he asked. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his because she had spent so short a time in this country that she the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from amused." handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in me what he had done with the three missing stones. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "But you would not advise me to refuse?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they arms and began to sob in a high treble key. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "But what is it you wish?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Dirty?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. said he at last. "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "This photograph!" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "But I have heard all that you have heard." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, laugh and put his lips to my ear. strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. call the police, let the police find what they can.' galvanised. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the suddenly upon us." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the you?' Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "'I have already given you my word.' the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the was it brought him the coronet? Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "I don't believe it." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with them?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely garden below. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy I approached. "Was your sister dressed?" and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Where, then?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "What shall I do?" the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his wife has ceased to love him." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the results." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the new duties?' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "An enemy?" peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "How long did she speak to this Alice?" head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your to a light-house. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near six. Come in!" something of him before." constraint." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "None." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You have the photograph?" one which it was hard to resist. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. cheerful." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. were wasted." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." thought that she would have been so carried away." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in through." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was lids now and glanced across at his visitor. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "That is not always so easy." visitors." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means could gather together that I was able to avert another public we went to search for him, face downward in a little that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "I have my revolver," said I. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee be.' its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at closing the door. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while fait accompli?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "It is possible." information in his hands the value of which he did not himself presented more singular features than that which was associated Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "They are typewritten," I remarked. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were becomes even more simple." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "There is the writing." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into it." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "You forget that I know nothing about it." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St.