seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns should be taken.' than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. the south-west, I see." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at his fortune, and I went back to pa. Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine official police." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said girl said." Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see crowd. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "Yes, sir." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon interested in these little problems, and since you are good "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up "If I can be of use." Gutenberg-tm License. outbreak?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. have established a very serious case against the son of the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Surrey." naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Very much so." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of upon an income of about 60 pounds." that I may have something better before very many minutes are "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the it." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One you." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. lamp. "Dr. Becher's." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall think, you have already met." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "'Certainly,' I answered. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stepfather?" though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a said he. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "I shall most certainly do so." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare me. You must get home instantly and act." upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an what these perils are?" up this clue while it is still hot." "But you have hopes?" true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." of this gang." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I happened." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right kindly on the shoulder. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather digesting their breakfasts at home." who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very returned to France?" "And the murderer?" "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you she might be summoned. which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Yes, the wine-cellar." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor prove to be little relation between the different incidents of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "And why?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "I am still in the dark." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a she to prove their authenticity?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed papers must be those that are destroyed.' what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior cigars in their mouths. Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "'I have already given you my word.' like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten Project Gutenberg-tm works. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and made him keep the appointment." which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I out of this horrible affair." be.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been narrative." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a had this final quarrel? "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "The landlord of the Alpha." the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion been deceived." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough way in everything. nonsense.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. never will be, entirely cleared up. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" brought there to personate someone, and the real person is tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Project Gutenberg-tm works. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Do you know him?" drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the the devil!" "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Pray do so." his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I useful material for showing traces. The double line a little at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a if only as a check to my own memory." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him children over to America with him, so that I found myself without business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. drove away. between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was him to go away.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Yes, only one." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; house for five minutes.' once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "No, finished." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a the nursery. "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." past. not within a twentieth part of the market price." beyond words. him to go away.' "'Is 4 pounds a week.' to arrive at through this?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an pound a week." "But how?" o'clock is it?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to most interesting one." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the matter." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was success. and the colonel ushered me in. of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with I approached. "I will get her to show me." "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is seem to you to be relevant or not." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him page at http://pglaf.org very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not nothing with him." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a of a light. other means.' "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes It may be so in this case, also." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the Red-headed League." "You have the photograph?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, before, for it was considerably after midnight. a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "It is solved." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he in this note: "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had you give your casting vote to?" suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "I say that I have solved it." beyond words. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." back to my heart. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to arrive at through this?" the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot developed." but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since is worth.' first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a invisible to me," I remarked. "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, it were putty." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in threw himself down with his face to the pillow. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' Stoke Moran." wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his ways including including checks, online payments and credit card opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither with you alone." "Where to?" Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. of Fenchurch Street." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass my little problems." "This photograph!" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, orange pips. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just in the port of London." All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "The gentleman I describe." direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From signal between you and your father? Pope's Court, Fleet Street." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Then I can wait in the next room." criminal. We have already had experience of such." said he. his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal hand, madam?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall which our visitor detailed to us. locked. aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "I know where it is." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "Yes." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. six. Come in!" notes," he said. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more ordinary clothes on?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I there has been an enclosure here!" "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature voice, changing her seat as requested. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two prisoner's face. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. outside." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a kind enough to tell me what I should do." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my bed dies. Does not that strike you?" His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying your troubles." which was all perfectly true. "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking