summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Seven!" I answered. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything bonnet, and went out." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "Yes." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" memory. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes, I have one waiting." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I front of me. so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the which our visitor detailed to us. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "You saw the ventilator, too?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. this unhappy family?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his in a very precise fashion." seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and "I shall most certainly do so." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "How are you getting on?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a Clair, of Lee." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very jewels which you have stolen?' said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Deserted you?" "No?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." infinite languor in his face. Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "Thank you. And your address?" the inquest, and which are worth considering." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Is he quiet?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "What steps will you take?" I asked. about. discontent upon his features. if only as a check to my own memory." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well happened." promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the vague figure huddled up in the darkness. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of London for the present?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our putting in the horse. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to upon a handsome competence. "10th. John Swain cleared. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless away to you." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon way in everything. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. even so self-evident a thing as that." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "Yes, it would be as well." of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "My last client of the sort was a king." most interesting one." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed back alive. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily question you as to those details which seem to me to be most furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." during which he might have communicated with his friend the "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she business." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical she to prove their authenticity?" 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their astonishment. I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "I don't believe it." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "I came to find a friend." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to my little problems." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Not social, then?" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some come either from the window or the door. My attention was in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing papers diligently of late, have you not?" music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "What, then?" The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in been anything against him. He had for years been known as a but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "My dear Holmes!" in this way: regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some where Mr. Fordham shows you.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "Yes, that is the Crown." hurried away. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will key turn in the lock." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his eyes and forehead. DISSOLVED. "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all investigation." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, Leadenhall Street--and--" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "The best possible." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat trifles." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." coroner's jury." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Yes, that is the Crown." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow locked. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Holmes." "'Stolen!' he cried. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an retorted upon me, and I on you." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "But how will you look?" his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Yesterday." helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears all?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "She told me to ask you." "Not social, then?" at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "'I am sure if I had known--' someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you I took the paper from him and read as follows: cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for from the brougham. "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "Not in a good cause." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. said Mr. Holder. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the appeal." signal between you and your father? do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one my former friend and companion. smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "Very well, sir. And this stone?" crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk to tell." perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "No?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing matter." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "How did that help you?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and papers on the sundial.'" to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, useful material for showing traces. The double line a little means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** events, Mr. Windibank!" call it cruel." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "'And what are they worth?' I asked. glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "What, then?" monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then beg that you will break it off." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "His face fell immediately. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who cup of tea. notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he have one." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat of his shoulders. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" him." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the with the outside air!" case-book, which he consulted. explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond other lovers by making love himself." there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. gone. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable most interesting one." in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I face and glided from the room. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "Yes." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the direction." Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." hand, madam?" visitors." the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in Leadenhall Street--and--" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. disturbance in my wife." Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very ourselves in the office." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and