"Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "One horse?" interjected Holmes. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "What office?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that "Only as much as we can deduce." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. one of them." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "It is very kind of you." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the were wasted." And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we meant it for the best. particular state visit http://pglaf.org I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were fishes. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "You heard nothing yourself last night?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" for and were ordered to this address. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Ah, but I was recommended to you." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "One of the highest in England." "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but subject to the trademark license, especially commercial will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive chance." to-night?' laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "On Monday." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the excitement. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock ceremony." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "It was." "What then?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the rat could hardly pass through." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "What is it?" gone. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "You did not overhear what they said?" "Get out!" said he. Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." there." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you taking in every detail of the apartment. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all key of the affair now." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "From his hat?" "The doctor?" to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised status with the IRS. "No, distinctly professional." "A call for help, you thought?" snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "I am about to be married." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new one else, I think." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair bell. Holmes whistled. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible during the last few years, and there are many noble families to friends, not even his own brother. the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from you." which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "Of what day?" he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Street. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Arthur Conan Doyle "I came to find a friend." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there girl said." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, since then to throw any light upon what became of him." once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. and put his glass in his pocket. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Did you become engaged then?" "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father them, and came down just as you departed. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know it right.' I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced what these perils are?" "Pray do so." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" arrangements." business came to an end." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "Really! You surprise me." the window, rose as we entered. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my appeared upon the scene." Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles over here." analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Then, how do you know?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in Gutenberg-tm License. power." she used." play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the away into the river." "Ha! you find it so?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "That is not always so easy." left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads at home. "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied respectable self." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. ran thus: too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "I was afraid that you were engaged." other lovers by making love himself." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fatally injured? could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four go back?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "And on what day did he meet his death?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, my room." dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. people don't know." "By no means." entirely devoid of interest." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the trying to your nerves." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "Ah, but I was recommended to you." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a I have it here in my museum." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the the so-precious time, but come!' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go the loss of it. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" visitors." brain must have something in it." "How did you deduce the select?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Yes." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Stoke Moran." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is fish-monger and a tide-waiter." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, redistribution. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties his huge brown hands. room had already been engaged for us. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he outside." green of the new foliage. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or noble correspondent could be. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, will find little credit to be gained out of this case." woman." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in enough to aid us in our search." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's allusion to a rat. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was Holmes' room. "One of the highest in England." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and entirely devoid of interest." then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "I shall be delighted." said he. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their the coronet at all injured?" order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm tapping his fingers upon the table. "Why? What do you mean?" however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "And how have you succeeded?" sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards went to the Alpha were town bred." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but train.' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "In answer to an advertisement." "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "But what harm can there be in that?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and formed some opinion?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, information in his hands the value of which he did not himself I nodded again. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business note?" always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My advice." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out eat it." "That is not always so easy." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Sutherland. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, "And now?" He raised his hand. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "What is it, then--a fire?" house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. nights." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." him and tried to hold him back. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "It was." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, he did." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. me have 200 pounds?' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these bonnet, and went out." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "And your father? Did you tell him?" "'Tell me all about it,' said I. deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his stepfather?" would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or minor matters until to-morrow." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day confronted him. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, time." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider to go into your room and bar your shutters?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving business?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than the station." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such my secret was safe in his possession. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "No bad?" "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most outside. roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the such attractions and accomplishments?' shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, exactly what you advise." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the