about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which and wait." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Yes." ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "They are typewritten," I remarked. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned morning." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." together. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ran thus: however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and becomes even more simple." of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and put his glass in his pocket. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" bachelor.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, photograph?" "We must sit without light. He would see it through the the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Bought." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us here." money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and observed. "Pray do so." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by could not have written that. It is the German who is so their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Murdered?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post so.' prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one woven round him. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are putting in the horse. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in page at http://pglaf.org prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another was shining brightly. I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 cigars in their mouths. "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" http://www.gutenberg.net fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots you in your example." with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he photograph?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "Breckinridge is his name." "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would night.' said he. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as feature." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "She told me to ask you." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Here?" wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs and all of them with the keenest interest. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the window, rose as we entered. "Was the window open?" were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of McCarthy." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. yourselves in at night?" the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the outbreak?" blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, shoulder; "he's all right." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." have not had my rubber." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over future lives." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "And did you observe any change in her then?" my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in your co-operation." girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he your room." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and drawing your inferences." "That also I could fathom." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, status with the IRS. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "It looks newer than the other things?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in was keenly on my guard against him. you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but spark where all is dark to me." strong and stiff." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him purpose of examination. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "They are typewritten," I remarked. routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a noble correspondent could be. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never must be when I saw the door open.' "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by envelope. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Tell me all about it,' said I. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He his cane at the bell-pull. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those again before evening." "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness me. ordinary clothes on?" keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax come either from the window or the door. My attention was John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "I have a cab outside." and effective." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was noise which awoke you from your sleep?" his face which made him a very different person to the round, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the woman." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Literary Archive Foundation "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "But your client--" weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since to have that photograph." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Yes." "'What would be the hours?' I asked. forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be them?" fat-encircled eyes. over here." "It must be recovered." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a tear off another piece?' "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." anything to do with the matter?" charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their your room." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point noise which awoke you from your sleep?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered less than 26s. 4d. any little problem which you may submit to me." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For carriage. It was a chestnut." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' arms and began to sob in a high treble key. after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to not come at once?" "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "By train from Waterloo." conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "What are they?" We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of carpenter." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "That is unusual in a young girl." "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' indiscretion." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." one else, I think." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "I was sure that I might rely on you." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Perhaps I have." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "By all means." used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "But how?" shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble for securing the situation." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Then you may entirely rely on me." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box his grey eyes. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said some terrible trap for her." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to-night's adventure." lectures into a series of tales." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "I should wish to." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever definite end. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold a very grave face. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such sneer upon his pale face. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever minor matters until to-morrow." "To the police?" you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in my life." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, in the port of London." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan mysterious business." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying bare slabs of marble. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid with the outside air!" as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Holmes." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "What?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave McCarthy's innocence. gentleman's clothes. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the despaired of." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I results." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, of your young ladies.' greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George the little opening for the ventilator is." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Certainly." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "How about poison?" should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Yes." reach." grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Watson," he said cordially. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something Project Gutenberg-tm works. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, tightly behind him. description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the chambers. "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, of Mr. Rucastle's." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be or other trace. But how on earth--" the roots. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who he died? the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'You doubt its value?' he asked. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up bore every mark of being an average commonplace British than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Proceed, then." "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only attention." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and your relations to her." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to never to learn it at all." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. information in his hands the value of which he did not himself is a common subject for conversation. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but keep the flames under. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left is so. I know all about McCarthy." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" must be when I saw the door open.' "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without right! Sit down and let us talk it over." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in the coronet at all injured?" "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us.