"'Ten to two.' us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish nights." his grey eyes. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in which our visitor detailed to us. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." room had already been engaged for us. "Never." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would as he folded up the epistle. lost his Christmas dinner." have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was shoulder. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I answered that I had not. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is not personally threatened." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "One of his hands." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have into her hand at the door and which lured her within their things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, question you as to those details which seem to me to be most passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door questionable one." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed how narrow had been my escape. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, so.' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had meant it for the best. present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the pressing in one house as in another. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a answer." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny The events in question occurred in the early days of my he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "What can you not understand?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or not interfere, come what may. You understand?" morning." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "I have a cab outside." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his help us in this matter." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "And how did he make his money?" "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Of Friday, June 19th." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he been." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "Is he quiet?" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. did not hear it also.' your billet.' round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "My dear Holmes!" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's Holmes' thin, eager face. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round about here speaks of his kindness to him." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "I am still in the dark." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of himself. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "And did you observe any change in her then?" "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" than was visible to me." house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "No." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that was a lad." hurried by. views." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an conduct the inquiry." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Holmes, the busybody!" his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my there when the Rucastles went away." should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with posted to-day." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Which surely he restored to their owner?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had about here speaks of his kindness to him." came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Just look it up, then." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had Where does the thing come from?' run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "I say that I have solved it." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the whatever might befall. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "No." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their discontent upon his features. presented more singular features than that which was associated "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take occupations.' the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the loss of it. off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we come either from the window or the door. My attention was address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of your young ladies.' papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for something of him before." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper events, Mr. Windibank!" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be door?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet you." case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you relation between them, and what the object of his repeated have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few she slowly sank and died without having recovered her are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a behind me. "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Yes." "How do you know, then?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," respectable self." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "And what did you learn from him?" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very daring than any effort of the imagination." is acting for the best. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must appeared upon the scene." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Pray tell us what has happened to you." is now desirous of getting those letters back." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Thank you. And your address?" There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his up this clue while it is still hot." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Indeed! Whose, then?" wedding?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's him. and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was go back?" "Certainly." "How about poison?" easy-going way." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be IS pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, face and glided from the room. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, so far?" "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the your Highness to the police-station?" to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You even so self-evident a thing as that." landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you sneer upon his pale face. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have corner of the building. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an been anything against him. He had for years been known as a wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "In which, sir?" and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing directors, with the result that you have seen." see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt upon the white wrist. "I have seen the police." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring considering the formidable letters which were received by himself be there in time for your coming." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something charged with?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of it right.' "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much you." are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that It was close upon four before the door opened, and a almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I am following you closely," I answered. in your London, you will know that the office of the company is propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' it right.' "And that is--" scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "The best possible." Leadenhall Street--and--" posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on the bottom.' unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry and laid it on the table. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "It is possible." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. The events in question occurred in the early days of my Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down despair." photograph?" safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers pity, because in other respects you would really have done very later, upon the night of May 2nd." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "A greater distance to travel." indeed happy." he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the best detective that ever lived. nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "You horrify me." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "What can it mean?" I gasped. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having examination of the premises, but without finding anything which confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. as the one I chose?' "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and back into the street. "9th. McCauley cleared. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest them?" "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and ago." observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. any." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their present." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Countess of Morcar's?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by see a sister of mine apply for." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken of fine shops and stately business premises that they really disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. me, and I could not think that his explanation of the knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our "And for present expenses?" "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "'Ample.' "What, then, did Peterson do?" had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and four million human beings all jostling each other within the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "That was it, sir." envelope. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my once more for Briony Lodge. him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried