"It goes to the housekeeper's room." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, yet." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; shadow pass over his face as I spoke. fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and astonishment. "When did it break out?" over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch there when the Rucastles went away." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "You have but to name it." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "It is possible." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the "She showed me, as I told you she would." quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and locked." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the into her hand at the door and which lured her within their "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "I have seen the police." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope you for a few hours?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "'Never,' said I. she used." myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "Eh? What was that?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." Project Gutenberg-tm works. mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the sit on the left-hand side of the driver." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "'What would be the hours?' I asked. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when particular state visit http://pglaf.org about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be could not have written that. It is the German who is so felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of it with the greatest attention. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your them, and came down just as you departed. thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive in the hope of finding them." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed him and tried to hold him back. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I see many objections to any such theory." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it not personally threatened." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" brain must have something in it." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant possible that we could bring him back to her? engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Come in!" said he. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this shall use the carriage to-night." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Then what has happened to him?" "Yes." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a troubles have been weighing upon his mind. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "And on what day did he meet his death?" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him or other trace. But how on earth--" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel man. I know him from the photograph." "It is solved." as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every your own bird, so if you wish--" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "I am still in the dark." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Your French gold?" One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell straightened it out again. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was was a lad." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know nonsense.' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Yes." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done letters?" "Ah!" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend shall use the carriage to-night." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat formed some opinion?" the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in begin with, and I had not got mine yet." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day burst into a hearty fit of laughter. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, pictures, libraries, or plate. cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the paper in the air. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Yes, there are nearly always some there." and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Won't it ring?" de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "Nothing." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything she to prove their authenticity?" outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. business." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing very old mansion. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you one's self under obligations.' "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well this remarkable episode. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting there has been an enclosure here!" and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in away into the river." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I better in every way that they should make their position a little should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone manager. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your that he will be back before evening." story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That's no good." face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "No more words. Get out!" "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may call for protection in the marriage market, for the present the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now deduce something from that?" or in danger--" Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather chance." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he rat could hardly pass through." more terrible than the truth. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. girl said." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was lame." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted have got?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a future lives." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" McCarthy." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of future lives." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom stepfather?" lectures into a series of tales." the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "I have hopes." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check bill, which interests me deeply." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. woman." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as strength in the others." it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS made him keep the appointment." morning." in a friendly supper." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "What! Had he lost his wife?" written, and locked the door of the office after me. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "My own seal." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs indeed happy." abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the once more. very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Yes." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "I am all attention, madam." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless events than those which have happened in my own family." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up details." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, outsides of the windows. "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw hands. permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "And how did he make his money?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an point in the dark hollow of his hand. the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit nights." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed McCarthy's innocence. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad ran thus: to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding three fields round his house, and there he would take his happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "To the police?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock outsides of the windows. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was fled together." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If meant it for the best. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "That is also quite modern," said the lady. mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to less than 26s. 4d. plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not in darkness. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." even so self-evident a thing as that." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography seen the man in the road." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it very old mansion. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Yes." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. my special province." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Does that suggest anything?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, the armchair which I pushed forward for him. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do companion quietly. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "9th. McCauley cleared. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "But what harm can there be in that?" had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that you in your example." "But your client--" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot