ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Oh, yes, easily." the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "That is also quite modern," said the lady. became a certainty. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few dates and names. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy if I call to-morrow?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the bird I ate is country bred." lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built country, and eventually married, without anyone having a traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the forecastle of an emigrant ship. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never are, I think, all that we need." "But how could you guess what the motive was?" work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little the side-table." 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the served to weaken the effect. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew records." "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and bears upon the case?" going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "What of the rat, then?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "You have carte blanche." II. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Yes." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets where we are going." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most but preventing her from injuring another. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he the matter." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "No, my brougham is waiting." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he and looked back. or in danger--" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love fait accompli?" "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man your troubles." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Henry Baker is a member." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." coroner's jury." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all dead, shall be safe with us." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. your bag." and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good disappearance of these gems?" "What have you to say now?" course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. as this. Pray let me have the details." "'Yes, I promise.' One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that threw himself down with his face to the pillow. right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which as the one I chose?' eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." depend upon my doing so.' wall." gives a meaning to it." "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to remarked. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "His face fell immediately. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that you wished to speak to me?' hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a forecastle of an emigrant ship. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at was it brought him the coronet? see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Were they all fastened this morning?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a companion. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "Never." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at of the way of danger. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "I don't believe it." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended both be extremely obliged.' his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police do.' "Look there!" said he. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were straightened it out again. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' if she died from some sudden fright." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper deduce something from that?" "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Because he was handy and would come cheap." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a correct than the official force." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with ways of our fellow-men." than was visible to me." take the flies, but not before." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked important." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, morning." ago." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as who was a member of your goose club." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it exactly what you advise." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, confronted him. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal the salesman. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "On Monday." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No empty. "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel until night should bring an explanation. took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her bill, which interests me deeply." far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "You horrify me." The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my sake, don't!" "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those carpenter." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and new acquaintance to Baker Street. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. business matters.' "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project cup of tea. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of retorted upon me, and I on you." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while heavily into it. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt to Leatherhead. "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and the church but not where the lady lived." red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether and your relations to her." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "And I." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "No." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'Yes, I promise.' In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily the driver. single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very article?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "It is a murder, then?" sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told bled considerably." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having Eyford at 11:15.' For additional contact information: It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it discontent upon his features. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "VIOLET HUNTER." strength of mind to control. "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "The King of Scandinavia." was lame." you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted careless servant girl?" "What shall I do?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have would then never go into court at all." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Very murderous indeed." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Very well, sir. And this stone?" to arrive at through this?" dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. "It came here." "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the strength." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That upon a handsome competence. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than wedding?" "He is dead," cried several voices. 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and pierced for earrings?" habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has upon the white wrist. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "But what is it you wish?" out of this horrible affair." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." His name is Francis Prosper." solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "I cannot tell." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. have been better. It is all right." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the future lives." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' His smile broadened. "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. a good hundred miles off by now." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through that?' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "You horrify me." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we his huge brown hands. utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come God! What an exposure! What can I do?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, we went to search for him, face downward in a little see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and the church but not where the lady lived." "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many a little more before I quite committed myself. "I have seen the police." Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "He slept on the premises." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he and effective." "I will, Miss Turner." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of vague figure huddled up in the darkness. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I least a most suspicious remark." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" into the bag, and made for the door. asked with his eyes open. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way hands. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "If so, much may have happened between." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "You have carte blanche." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and to-night?" I asked. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock from you?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." the window, rose as we entered. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have call for protection in the marriage market, for the present This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "'And what salary do you ask?' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take think you a quite exceptional woman." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "You heard nothing yourself last night?" to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been could not have written that. It is the German who is so