"There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes case-book, which he consulted. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his me upon any point which I do not make clear." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill followed. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn of it with the greatest attention. into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and again on its way. "'Yes, it was gone.' force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell do.' There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a call you and give you the chance." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. quickly through a disagreeable task. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of pity, because in other respects you would really have done very "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Yes." quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Thank you. Pray proceed." studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold seem to you to be relevant or not." one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, fishes. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after to that open window." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed "Well?" pressing in one house as in another. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Your presence might be invaluable." "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "How about poison?" "By no means." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal locked. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he whole matter to your consideration." as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such to some other building. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country up this clue while it is still hot." delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, go from here to the Strand." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "Ten will be early enough." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a of the one which your family is now devouring." thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. respectable self." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg because she had spent so short a time in this country that she advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "One of the highest in England." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. correct than the official force." "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I province." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "May I see it?" a monotonous occupation." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will in the hope of finding them." "'You cannot say what it was?' "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "My dear Holmes!" "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You have it, sir, just as it happened." easy-going way." a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It This is what he says: "Yes, sir." society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she out." pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, some city in a dream. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the morning." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched in one or two places in England?' the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for correct than the official force." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "I am sure." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have green of the new foliage. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is his huge brown hands. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on been shamefully used." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his more terrible than the truth. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. and that he would see to anything that turned up. interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "I cannot imagine." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, tension within him. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that in a friendly supper." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her clang of the bell. of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever then?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are orange pips. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For begun to whiten, even as mine has." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered served to weaken the effect. perplexity from it to my illustrious client. security.' "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "How do you know, then?" But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to manager. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the little trying to do so much typewriting?" thin legs towards the fire. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "'Yes, sir.' sit on the left-hand side of the driver." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "But who is he?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could one of the states of the Union." But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Not in the least." "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who with you?" desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and redistribution. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms character. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had there!' "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, not personally threatened." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the address. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. despair." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out nonsense.' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped keep the flames under. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "It was." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "It is very kind of you." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "'Never.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, following enigmatical notices: at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by people don't know." "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Did your wife hear all this?" not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been and inquire as to the address." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "And your mother is alive?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it mysterious business." again, where I was soon asleep. "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "Not in a good cause." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another ways including including checks, online payments and credit card round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Pray do so." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Why, it's a dummy," said he. I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "'Certainly not. But why?' better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "I am all attention, madam." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his any more." again before evening." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "'About the same.' "I shall be delighted." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I could go. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, maid will bring up your coffee." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "I think that I had better go, Holmes." it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "What! Had he lost his wife?" "Why, what do you mean?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in certainly do as you advise." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his in the hope of finding them." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: walking." "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "And what did you learn from him?" unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "I am in hopes that she does." "'I am sure if I had known--' matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to in a friendly supper." accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Have you it here?" of receipt of the work. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying pierced for earrings?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and eat it." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. dates and names. "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. obstinate." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away dramatic, in fact." impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little floor. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a "A greater distance to travel." sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, It was close upon four before the door opened, and a very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it once more on the important position which you have been fortunate doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two enter Dr. Roylott's room." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and writer." chambers. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking views." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Very well, sir. And this stone?" not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a License. You must require such a user to return or passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a and put his glass in his pocket. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully main points of my analysis." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see acted in my house last night?" "I say that I have solved it." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I had formerly been in part my own. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "Then how many are there?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a little more before I quite committed myself. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "And Miss Sutherland?" "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to other, as fresh and trim as possible. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with