train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were time." the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." delighted to hear it," he said. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any second." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Absolutely?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on became a certainty. "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "No." Leadenhall Street--and--" go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project electronic works But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow I. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, late." another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "Of what?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "Precisely so. But how--" "But who is he?" legal crime." single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "She will not sell." no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the his huge brown hands. "Never." and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his following enigmatical notices: say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the is acting for the best. WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and has little to do with my story." "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the that you saw all that I did." he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. the devil!" happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come strength of mind to control. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the recover the gem." demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' outbreak?" 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hair?' did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and hour?' have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "Could he throw no light?" "In answer to an advertisement." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very lost his Christmas dinner." manager. morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at you." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social approach us with offers to donate. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "I was afraid that you were engaged." "In San Francisco, a year ago." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I narrative." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "And what did you learn from him?" "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The noise which awoke you from your sleep?" conceal it?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" Henry Baker is a member." Have you good authority for what you say?" It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which sufficient punishment." him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "Yes, I have one waiting." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "But how could you guess what the motive was?" her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would heavily into it. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" that I can to serve you." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not to-night?" I asked. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the roots. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "Tired-looking or fresh?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "Yes, only one." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "The rest you will leave in our hands." I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Precisely." already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face in this note: a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "If so, much may have happened between." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark place, I think that there is good ground to think that the this truth that in these little records of our cases which you breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle noise which awoke you from your sleep?" felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive best detective that ever lived. "Very much so." me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. me." on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting during that time.' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "It surprised me." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a peculiar to him. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it me." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "Only as much as we can deduce." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "What, then, did Peterson do?" enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. face and glided from the room. dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Perhaps we may make them less so." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other other means.' "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "And you thought he was pulled back?" "But what is it you wish?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was for and were ordered to this address. secret." "Oh, yes, easily." three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I assure you that I am in your hands." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. off." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "One horse?" interjected Holmes. round with crates and massive boxes. kind enough to tell me what I should do." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of furiously. blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you opened a pocket-book and took out a note. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Is 4 pounds a week.' can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until think that any burglar could have done. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which chance." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. cigars in the box." knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with crime. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "What do you make of that, Watson?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the pound a week." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock green of the new foliage. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the inquest, and which are worth considering." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My was once confined in the cab my mission was practically to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of them, and came down just as you departed. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is could not have written that. It is the German who is so "What are they?" open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous in darkness. Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. fled together." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our said he, "my real name is James Ryder." with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "But the mystery?" that I may have something better before very many minutes are "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence happened." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "And I say east," said my patient. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost side. to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Pray do so." had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that the side-table." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "'Yes, it was gone.' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, in darkness. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed roused himself from his reverie. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Ah!" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "'There is a drive, then?' return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Why, it's a dummy," said he. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which writing, and yet I know it well." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it? Did I buy the geese off you?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Very murderous indeed." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Then, how do you know?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "But it has twice been burgled." I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Will you go?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' already referred to. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was desk. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." do.' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Come in!" said he. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "9th. McCauley cleared. matter." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a