friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in ashen face. "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in which it had come upon my father." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, "I assure you that I am in your hands." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and husband's writing, madam." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his felt the room to be a little close.' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's in this way: William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in which should have the effect of calling the attention of the "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. think you a quite exceptional woman." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, been lifted and conveyed somewhere." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could are, I think, all that we need." of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Where, indeed?" place of silver." Foundation protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "No more words. Get out!" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as she used." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or when you have done it." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "I think that it is very probable." wall." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the said I. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "'Never,' said I. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel III. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' which are rolled in Rotterdam." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you morning." Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so cigar and let me expound." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I cannot as yet see any connection." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Pray continue your narrative." central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Yes, from Horsham." "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is out." "To an end?" without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and just called myself is not exactly my own." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and his grey eyes. if only as a check to my own memory." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate so far?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Street. the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a good for you to do.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us "'Certainly not. But why?' "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a impression behind it as though a window had gently closed it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic case before our client came into the room." his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Why did you pick him?" the little opening for the ventilator is." breakfast?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering had formerly been in part my own. you in your example." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock "'What are you doing there?' he asked. I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "'I have already given you my word.' learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from shadow pass over his face as I spoke. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "And did you observe any change in her then?" Farm upon the left." public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "It's nothing of the kind." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were colonel looking down at me. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the armchair which I pushed forward for him. about. "Nearly eleven." now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had experiences." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "My dear Holmes!" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came himself to tell his story. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge fait accompli?" as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. seem to you to be relevant or not." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "'Ample.' corner of the building. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed particular state visit http://pglaf.org prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No good news?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform States. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "'Where to?' has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. strong and stiff." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "In which, sir?" savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you towards the blaze. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such golden eyeglasses. "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Pray let us have it, for all that." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' friend's singular character. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Thank you. And your address?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "His face fell immediately. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been derbies." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of carriage. It was a chestnut." indeed happy." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "Yes, from Horsham." "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a acted in my house last night?" "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing this Miss Turner." that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The strength." "No, I think that I'll take it." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "Very. But will he see it?" and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." it were putty." the tragedy. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "What office?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your closing the door. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and nights." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "But you would not advise me to refuse?" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "I am to be neutral?" has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel guilty one." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" quite distinctive." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his second window is the one that I jumped from." just called myself is not exactly my own." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the conclusions. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in voice. is," said he presently: "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "In which, sir?" by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Was the window open?" directly by questioning you." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE it means?" "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got observed. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The gone. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "No, distinctly professional." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I am all attention, madam." horse could go." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given could not have written that. It is the German who is so if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the appointment with me for six o'clock?" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "I am all attention, madam." did not hear it also.' comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "'What then?' I asked. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left His name is Francis Prosper." "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been on in his house." "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe examine." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the constraint." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Yes, he did." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. this Miss Turner." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. late." "Pray do so." twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten to some other building. which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." to-night?' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. redistribution. upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain manager. lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Yesterday." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face than was visible to me." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his me. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to retorted upon me, and I on you." lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "Pray let us have it, for all that." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to gives a meaning to it." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, forehead. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "And how did you verify them?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the so-precious time, but come!' opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch