smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty call it cruel." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "I think that I had better go, Holmes." one of them." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be enter Dr. Roylott's room." you came in." correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed strong reason behind." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "What then?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "The rest you will leave in our hands." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Very. But will he see it?" frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and been able to understand it, in a very few words. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his his fortune, and I went back to pa. he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary lips." "Dark enough and sinister enough." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office official police." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a think, you have already met." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, important." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was What do you deduce from it?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the fattened it expressly for you.' works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "No, but the enclosure is." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I giving me time to thank him. the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You brain must have something in it." was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come corner of the building. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the placed his cuttings. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "'Never.' follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was companion. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "I assure you that I am in your hands." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "Very. But will he see it?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to bird of prey. fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." only touch the interest." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it to some other building. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue strode off upon his way. want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment the date of his supposed suicide." of your young ladies.' in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his should be taken.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "No, finished." "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty within hail.' will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "Ha! you find it so?" almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' the best of training." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a the coroner come to?" Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, your Highness to the police-station?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to south, for the country is more deserted there." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question crackling voice. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes prison!" "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Yes." last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "One horse?" interjected Holmes. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," room had already been engaged for us. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable into the bag, and made for the door. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked 11:15.' human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were presented which may be striking and bizarre without being seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers straighten it?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at room had already been engaged for us. photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the learned something! Where are the gems?" to-night?" I asked. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I gone. "I will get her to show me." me have 200 pounds?' "The murder was done with it." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his the date of his supposed suicide." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" lamp. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she system of imprisonment?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in as he remarks, very much against the son." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Where could I find him?' read it out to me." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of been with you?" glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free some water from a caraffe. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make fact, we may call it conclusive." such attractions and accomplishments?' All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "You have it, sir, just as it happened." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "The knees of his trousers." companion imperturbably. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my the night.' light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "None." be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address becomes even more simple." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco lamp. In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that I may have something better before very many minutes are written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you the date of his supposed suicide." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet promised to bring home. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. hardly wander." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the long narrative. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think forbidden door. stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent taking in every detail of the apartment. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window paper in the air. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, stalked out of the room. "I do." hair?' Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which do." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since laugh and put his lips to my ear. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." companion. her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried bird of prey. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather humiliation." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he window when the police appeared." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how that before taking the final step I should like to submit the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock of Fenchurch Street." yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched strong and stiff." slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, any more." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Leadenhall Street--and--" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the salesman. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I have hopes." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." make me his representative both with the servants and with the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the answered with a sidelong glance. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There call the police, let the police find what they can.' "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then front of me. shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a for the market.' side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the kind enough to tell me what I should do." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Is he quiet?" Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several papers." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of tear off another piece?' "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "It's nothing of the kind." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which results." Holmes' room. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your me where it went to?" desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "And why in hopes?" fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "'Ample.' fasten all the windows?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his light and attacked it." advice." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "Thank you. Pray proceed." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "How are you getting on?" better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, because she had spent so short a time in this country that she 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern bore every mark of being an average commonplace British highroad, where all traces were lost. of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. papers on the sundial.'" "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I me what he had done with the three missing stones. room had already been engaged for us. closely." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his and wait." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "But how?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and very morning of my second wedding." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is Count Von Kramm." a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "No." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are my special province." British peeress.'" "'You doubt its value?' he asked. disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be extraordinary contortions. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have least a fellow-countryman. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little