which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "That is also quite modern," said the lady. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a gentleman's clothes. Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" know all about it," he snarled. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? up this clue while it is still hot." man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the night.' "That is unusual in a young girl." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "You will not go there first?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower My friend smiled. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in article?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will http://gutenberg.net/license). over part of the map. "What do you read?" wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save this poor creature." cigars in their mouths. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the already been minutely examined." as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "But how?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It was an hour's good drive." well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just this man was intellectual?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "What, then?" unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "I promise," said Holmes. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if was the fact that his father should, according to his account, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "How long did she speak to this Alice?" own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not in the hope of finding them." little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little think that any burglar could have done. old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "Certainly." allusion to a rat. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "How did you trace it, then?" thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I promise," said Holmes. "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with has little to do with my story." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this are, and they are waiting for us." threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It is his hat." usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "What!" he roared. "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll could gather together that I was able to avert another public what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I one's self under obligations.' claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Texas, I think." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so highly," said Holmes. wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your your troubles." "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and as yours." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my cigars in the box." the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an the coronet in his hand?" "A confidential servant?" through." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. the date of his supposed suicide." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of quickly through a disagreeable task. I was concerned in it." this unhappy family?" think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "It is half-past ten now." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," presented which may be striking and bizarre without being o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one relation between them, and what the object of his repeated country, and eventually married, without anyone having a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been and the whole place is in a blaze." "She showed me, as I told you she would." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "No, thank goodness, she did not." giving me time to thank him. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after companion. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "To an end?" locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. of a light. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Come in!" said Holmes. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger three of the beryls in it, was missing. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away breakfast?" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. obstinate." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and at my own good fortune. British peeress.'" light and attacked it." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was some city in a dream. the salesman. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not man. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium burst out into a roar of laughter. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door me what he had done with the three missing stones. month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing sneer upon his pale face. obstinate." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "Then I do not see the point." Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' golden eyeglasses. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Game for a morning drive?" "Has he come with you to-night?" acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and appeal." the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before would apply.' story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are I shall communicate with you." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I was sure that I might rely on you." there when the Rucastles went away." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Your presence might be invaluable." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and for securing the situation." he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid to-night?' to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where as yours." that there was nothing in it, after all." shadow pass over his face as I spoke. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "That also I could fathom." pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. a little more before I quite committed myself. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. may never be exposed to such a temptation." with her." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. 1.E.9. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the know that the truth is known." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not again before evening." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without for its centre. years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because over his head with a sweet womanly caress. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took simple cases which are so extremely difficult." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "In San Francisco, a year ago." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Your presence might be invaluable." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving taking in every detail of the apartment. suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm advice." utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide mystery may be cleared along those lines." up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm that upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "I see many objections to any such theory." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to question," said Holmes, smiling. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we do you make of it all?" said I. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "At the wedding breakfast." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and things are very often connected not with the larger but with the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, started for the Temple to see my husband. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." indeed which he could not unravel. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door I shall communicate with you." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "The landlord of the Alpha." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of DISSOLVED. slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "None." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the client, rising. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the meant." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the that he has suffered." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes dead, shall be safe with us." do." seven miles from Eyford Station.' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of fled together." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "No, distinctly professional." and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first