me have 200 pounds?' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Yes, sir." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "I do." He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an "Pray do so." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five copied or distributed: her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And leave your case unfinished?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he legal crime." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "Yes, at the mines." who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; do.' "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important his forehead." "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest tail." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Gutenberg-tm License. her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Edgeware Road. Chief Executive and Director gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." Doctor, of the paper and the date." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "Her father is very rich?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. excitement. "But the mystery?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black then?" "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way straightened it out again. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was to have been novel and of interest." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the before, for it was considerably after midnight. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "But you were on a friendly footing?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "I see no marks." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Come in!" said Holmes. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "By no means." sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Were they all fastened this morning?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "I am sure." which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. 11:15.' "What will you do, then?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told money should be paid at once.' "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Yes." "Won't it ring?" wife's character?" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What have you to say now?" swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to help us in this matter." her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I cannot tell." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "I shall be delighted." "Perhaps I have." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and out of this horrible affair." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing public press." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case colonel looking down at me. exactly what you advise." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "What, then?" "So it appears." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "He disappeared so suddenly." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "By train from Waterloo." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "And what then?" bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "I am still in the dark." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "And how?" "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just Henry Baker is a member." more terrible than the truth. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, conduct the inquiry." a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. mystery." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "In answer to an advertisement." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another kindly on the shoulder. his wife has ceased to love him." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside against a man in the prime of life?" remarked. ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to McCarthy's innocence. which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a entirely devoid of interest." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "But you were on a friendly footing?" "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. have accepted such a situation. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking coroner's jury." of Fenchurch Street." One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that was shining brightly. whatever might befall. large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Holmes' room. III. "Ha! you find it so?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary could go. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast asked. "9th. McCauley cleared. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend you found me to-night--and running through the front room she Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: to change my dress. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" and put his glass in his pocket. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a get her out of the way." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "I know where it is." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Come in!" said Holmes. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Quite sure, dad.' Pool. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "And Irene Adler?" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "I have my revolver," said I. open." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced cigar and let me expound." He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at away to you." "His face fell immediately. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "So it appears." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain "I will, Miss Turner." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was him." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to mystery." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of miles off. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'How far from the body?' into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." records." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper occupations.' in the port of London." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Then I can wait in the next room." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the formed some opinion?" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. villagers almost as much as their master. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "Have you her photograph?" in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." about. away into the river." upon the sideboard." Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "I have solved it." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding and no precautions can guard against." License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I am about to be married." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and again, where I was soon asleep. standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. passage and a tap at the door. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "I see no marks." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "What will you say?" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "Yesterday." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the coronet in his hands?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "I have hopes." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy did not hear it also.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should matter." new acquaintance to Baker Street. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Eyford." page at http://pglaf.org "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your distinguish the words: was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, the room while you explain this matter?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "No." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be have established a very serious case against the son of the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Where did you address your letters, then?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "He is still with you, I presume?" We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about be there in time for your coming." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has persecution?" He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot examination of the premises, but without finding anything which from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my just called myself is not exactly my own." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had him to go away.' which I could not give. He asked for Alice. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "No good news?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the my former friend and companion. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was to affect your life." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire has little to do with my story." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Where, then?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." foot. collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "That's no good." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. you, my dear young lady?' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my answer." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "Not particularly." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for hair?' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Yes." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "His face fell immediately. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "You know me, then?" about here speaks of his kindness to him." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Sutherland?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on second." disturbance in my wife." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' whole matter to your consideration." roused himself from his reverie. fattened it expressly for you.' fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "How about poison?" had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business in. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of when you have done it." Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and