frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very chance." "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by sofa. This way, please!" her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One certainly not very gracious." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not The events in question occurred in the early days of my "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I I leave." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and upon the shelf for the interim." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Nothing." The events in question occurred in the early days of my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "I am all attention, madam." though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "She walked into the breakfast-room." from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon brought there to personate someone, and the real person is our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "And what then?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little indeed happy." the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much once more. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And you can do nothing until then?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late interest. They are important, you understand, without being pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you directly by questioning you." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just sentimental considerations in the background which would induce You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "I cannot think." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back Lee, in the county of Kent." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "Can I be of assistance?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "'Is purely nominal.' observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her few hundred pounds.' really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. in the hope of finding them." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from bed dies. Does not that strike you?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the even of instruction." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as crowd. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not husband's writing, madam." was not a bird to be seen there. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "So I heard. You have him here?" trying to your nerves." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural felt the room to be a little close.' dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' Lee, in the county of Kent." would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on You want to know what became of those geese?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and "9th. McCauley cleared. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. you came in." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under when your master had gone out." Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how that, and I came down." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' something of him before." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and criminal. We have already had experience of such." one's self under obligations.' Count Von Kramm." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "He might." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little any." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Sholtos." "Yes." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got retorted upon me, and I on you." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to might help us?" foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, new duties?' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there photograph?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly the one as in the other." once more to my work. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "He might." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "So I am. Very much so." "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers The police have openly confessed that they can at present make dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp which was all perfectly true. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up later, upon the night of May 2nd." you." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I out." with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to you." Foundation remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble fire. You quite follow me?" poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the a room. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark ordinary clothes on?" the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as presented which may be striking and bizarre without being As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, closely." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had forbidden door. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with jewels which you have stolen?' postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from started for the Temple to see my husband. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "It is a murder, then?" the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows criminal. We have already had experience of such." and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Tired-looking or fresh?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered shall not find me ungrateful." nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a here and I will read it to you: should be taken.' "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "To ruin me." say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "And how did he make his money?" "Witness: I must still refuse. heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird disappearance of these gems?" of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "How did you deduce the select?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that father's place of business?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the it. to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone deduce something from that?" said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers "I am sure." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly and glanced through. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "But the mystery?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "My Mary? Impossible!" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the any little problem which you may submit to me." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which was a loud and authoritative tap. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking opened the door, and slipped through. over part of the map. "What do you read?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned he bowed and left the room without another word. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch persecution?" iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the the morning and make my own way in the world.' zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Oh, the cause is excellent!" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you spark where all is dark to me." music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "'Certainly not. But why?' in his power. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Oh, fresh and glossy." other lovers by making love himself." "You know me, then?" upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." it." even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in went to the Alpha were town bred." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped than was visible to me." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I words came to my lips. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "You horrify me." envelope. armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts voice. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing said I. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is Mrs. Toller serenely. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large tightly behind him. and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of pressing in one house as in another. reach." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough back to my heart. "And on what day did he meet his death?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time details." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss main points of my analysis." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take purpose equally well?" instituted." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Entirely." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the the inquest, and which are worth considering." is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "'And the work?' we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I "Seven!" I answered. lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold young Openshaw's." "'And what salary do you ask?' I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their your own bird, so if you wish--" and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe were unconscious?" let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the you." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "And from a noble client?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found "Where, indeed?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, child?' few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, passage and a tap at the door. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn strength." would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." train.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her over his head with a sweet womanly caress. weighed down with some great anxiety. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, relief. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Your French gold?" some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "I will, Miss Turner." I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. of your young ladies.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our one's self under obligations.' "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "None. Neville wrote those words." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station.