from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the populous neighbourhood." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle wanted for ourselves." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable mystery." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "By no means." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Gutenberg-tm License. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yes, from Horsham." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "'Certainly not.' "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "No legal papers or certificates?" at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business certainly do as you advise." daring than any effort of the imagination." "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "We must have a cab." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried unclasping of his long thin hands. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to round with crates and massive boxes. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be You want to know what became of those geese?" exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the morning and make my own way in the world.' last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Certainly, madam." "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "So I heard. You have him here?" off." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been 'I should be able to look after that for you.' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he to affect your life." "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches made him keep the appointment." that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in open." world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is new acquaintance to Baker Street. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat in the dead of the night?' "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, unkempt, staring out at me. laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, The summons was a brief and urgent one. B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are in him." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Which are?" the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And from a noble client?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "I am in hopes that she does." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added companion quietly. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed future lives." all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be friend's singular character. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of our word." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I had formerly been in part my own. I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no were unconscious?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every shall use the carriage to-night." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my a little more before I quite committed myself. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours felt the room to be a little close.' approach us with offers to donate. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my upon the shelf for the interim." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay to take care of herself." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "I think that it is very probable." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some deduce something from that?" time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "I see no marks." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through money should be paid at once.' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "But the mystery?" "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you pound a week." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered once more for Briony Lodge. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might which are rolled in Rotterdam." of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "'Entirely.' "Can I be of assistance?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Yes?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" felt the room to be a little close.' from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do existence." "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "There are none." other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon questioning and rather startled gaze. in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" lost his Christmas dinner." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is appeal." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the way in." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in and prosperity to your house. Good-night." left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a danger is over." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on long narrative. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy "'A dozen yards or so.' his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "My private note-paper." giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "I am sure." any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward face and glided from the room. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I do." although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed thirty. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "That you are never beaten." "Nothing." bed dies. Does not that strike you?" them?" centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. with her." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if call it cruel." "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, ventilator." you." "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in without success. At last the little money which I had saved began would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a reach." your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just south, for the country is more deserted there." many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Married! When?" brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help Chief Executive and Director already been minutely examined." crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in "What! You do not mean bodies?" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to like gravel from a pit.' "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "A thing like a cleaver," said he. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Very truly yours, conversation I have gathered that they have been married about Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very in the port of London." business." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "He is still with you, I presume?" "That sounds a little paradoxical." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, awkward doing business with an alias." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that married her." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Well." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it figure." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out are windows in it, of course?" works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "'Very good.' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a was keenly on my guard against him. the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still crackling voice. there has been an enclosure here!" "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that least a fellow-countryman. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The mysterious end." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Very truly yours, "Where did you address your letters, then?" Literary Archive Foundation of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Foundation He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "If I can be of use." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "'Entirely.' my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our tail." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "I see many objections to any such theory." nonsense.' these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to details." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Where, then?" "I promise," said Holmes. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, in my life." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled straighten it?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." helping a boy to put up the shutters. round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which himself to tell his story. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "If I can be of use." of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" shoulder. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the helping a boy to put up the shutters. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and is so. I know all about McCarthy." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "Yes, all." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the bed, and you in that chair." "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce Does that suggest anything?" again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and