attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "This photograph!" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and in your London, you will know that the office of the company is her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future had formerly been in part my own. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I and effective." thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had out of this horrible affair." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid It may be so in this case, also." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "And leave your case unfinished?" "Certainly, madam." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by is so. I know all about McCarthy." Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at generous with you in money matters.' all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, feature." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of make me his representative both with the servants and with the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you the morning and make my own way in the world.' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "I warn you that they are very incomplete." it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" once more for Briony Lodge. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That's no good." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "The Cedars?" William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both breakfast?" laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." I shall communicate with you." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would when you have done it." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "I have seen the police." robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said purpose of examination. "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "Was he the only applicant?" stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs strength of mind to control. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "'Never,' said I. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the his knees, staring into the fire. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late extraordinary contortions. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "On Monday." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "I think that it is very probable." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in peculiar to him. tell them apart.' "I promise," said Holmes. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of nonsense.' "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "And what did you see?" "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," emerged. "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "I never have." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in that the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "To an end?" disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes eavesdroppers?' weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the coronet in his hands?" such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, You want to know what became of those geese?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "'Never,' said I. too. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "At what time?" occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the these bleak autumnal evenings." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural The police have openly confessed that they can at present make than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of better in every way that they should make their position a little the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has chemical work which was so dear to him. "What do you make of that, Watson?" It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after enter Dr. Roylott's room." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which this unhappy family?" the station." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "My Mary? Impossible!" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. one's self under obligations.' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "'What do you call purely nominal?' questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank be.' "'Very good.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. spark where all is dark to me." "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want clang of the bell. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "What office?" individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "'What, the red-headed man?' "Have you her photograph?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I wall." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business in the hope of finding them." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Have you her photograph?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free prison!" becomes even more simple." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "And from a noble client?" conclusions. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to arrive at through this?" and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I guilty parties." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I will get her to show me." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "And how did he make his money?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "You have the photograph?" read over the extraordinary announcement. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door that, and I came down." and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two recover the gem." of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian goes." would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It's nothing of the kind." thin legs towards the fire. have not had my rubber." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' in him." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the vanished into the darkness. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, washing it down with a long draught of water. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "Who was the criminal, then?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored just ask you whether you had heard it.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more seven miles from Eyford Station.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking enough to aid us in our search." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This my little problems." Dr. Gregory B. Newby He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his photograph?" overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "The decline of his fortunes, then?" leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting point our research must commence, and we will begin it by no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past lumber-room." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I where we are going." miles off. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the to tackle the facts." footfalls from the street. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay more solid." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were until night should bring an explanation. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "You have it, sir, just as it happened." which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the the matter." hour." "To ruin me." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "How did you deduce the select?" matter over." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "And why in hopes?" "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She considering the formidable letters which were received by himself From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see results." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in his huge brown hands. veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Witness: It was. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I things are very often connected not with the larger but with the before, for it was considerably after midnight. his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house giving me time to thank him. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. and all of them with the keenest interest. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' in. Sutherland. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding appeared upon the scene." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "How often?" 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. even so self-evident a thing as that." have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced seen the man in the road." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to sofa. This way, please!" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like of fine shops and stately business premises that they really office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then bell. Holmes whistled. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for fish-monger and a tide-waiter." to go into your room and bar your shutters?" a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind for the market.' "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right humiliation." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any not within a twentieth part of the market price." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Have you it here?" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." tapping his fingers upon the table. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "I have a cab outside." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'I have already given you my word.' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "And Miss Sutherland?" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I think that I had better go, Holmes." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with your troubles." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a written. when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but new acquaintance to Baker Street. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists third from London." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding him nearly every evening." "And for present expenses?" that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "I would pay ten." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away man. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "'Yes, sir.' crime. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "And how in the world did you find them?" forehead. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been