copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two tassel actually lying upon the pillow. look upon these things in a different way." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "How on earth--" belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "You have the photograph?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The King stared at him in amazement. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in "None." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Always." pound a week." lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "Yes." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "So I am. Very much so." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He annoyance, but no jest. deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into with frightened eyes at his accuser. of the efforts of the United States government and of the better life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." formed some opinion?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the there were so many in the whole country as were brought together time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "And why in hopes?" light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets the coroner come to?" fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." answer." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the warnings." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot indeed happy." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and had this final quarrel? subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "But what is it you wish?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "When did she vanish, then?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and capable of preserving a secret.' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back him." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure and glanced through. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. to-night's adventure." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "It is a murder, then?" into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' very morning of my second wedding." it right.' wedding?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "'Yes.' coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes." relief. actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "Precisely." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project man. I know him from the photograph." the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. had died away into the silence from which it rose. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not sneer upon his pale face. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "You don't mind breaking the law?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "A client, then?" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" very peculiar words of the dying woman?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the evidence," I remarked. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw 'please.'" staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for at my remark. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the to arrive at through this?" while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their Lee, in the county of Kent." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm into the bag, and made for the door. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "Really! You surprise me." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his prisoner's face. and no precautions can guard against." cost them two and thirty pounds." "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." nonsense.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent written. hard-headed British jury." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "What have you done?" asked Holmes. determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit swore that no one else had been in the front room during the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was leave you to your papers for a little." "Yes, the wine-cellar." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just unprecedented a position." least a fellow-countryman. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more "At the wedding breakfast." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his death." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "How did that help you?" and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us The police have openly confessed that they can at present make warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What steps will you take?" I asked. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "But the mystery?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on the running down." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Quite sure, dad.' light and attacked it." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought passage and a tap at the door. Count Von Kramm." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our London for the present?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "Was he the only applicant?" rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises The telegram which we eventually received came late one night the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "Imitated." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, particular state visit http://pglaf.org 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to shadow pass over his face as I spoke. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "How did you deduce the select?" on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' other means.' "No, I think that I'll take it." Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or never will be, entirely cleared up. interests were the same as his." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "9th. McCauley cleared. "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss cheerful." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple visitors." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a depend upon your compliance." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man me have 200 pounds?' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "Nothing." might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as easy-going way." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as goes." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), all-comprehensive glances. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, use an arc-and-compass breastpin." are, I think, all that we need." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "'Where could I find him?' upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from villagers almost as much as their master. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him mystery may be cleared along those lines." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" carpenter." a good hundred miles off by now." dead, shall be safe with us." your room." the south-west, I see." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some front of the hall door has given its name to the place. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no stepfather?" four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "How about poison?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and of receipt of the work. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," you." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Will you go?" morning." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "But we can't all be." "No, my brougham is waiting." "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to salesman. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not became a certainty. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. foot. begun to whiten, even as mine has." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be tension within him. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Perfectly so." "You have carte blanche." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what triumphant cloud from his cigarette. http://www.gutenberg.net in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an for and were ordered to this address. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Have you her photograph?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "It must be recovered." enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "And when will you call?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said congenial hunt. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Yes, at the mines." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they village inn over there?" "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out of your young ladies.' mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining photograph a cabinet?" upon a handsome competence. "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Yes, but only for you and me." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to intimate personal affairs in this public manner." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain key of the affair now." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use public press." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "'Yes.' a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had James Windibank. Voilà tout!" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it mystery may be cleared along those lines." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar bed dies. Does not that strike you?" married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, would then never go into court at all." the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable fishes. should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with enough to aid us in our search." "To an end?" never to learn it at all." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my present." shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of "You heard nothing yourself last night?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's already been minutely examined." upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "None." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case in one or two places in England?' answer." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "And from a noble client?" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Of what day?" criminal. We have already had experience of such."