the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "And Miss Sutherland?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "You have compromised yourself seriously." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "Yes." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes, certainly." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." with frightened eyes at his accuser. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "One of his hands." "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, to a more successful conclusion." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could sound at heart." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the "But she could not love him." orange pips. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of gone. "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was woman." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a minor matters until to-morrow." Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," or other trace. But how on earth--" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is hair?' "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for writing, and yet I know it well." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have way in everything. detained." He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you Have you good authority for what you say?" article?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the have got?" "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "No." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge bears upon the case?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and London for the present?" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a cheerful." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire seen the man in the road." "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us go back?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Pope's Court. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Who by?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "We have tried and failed." respectable self." "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "I will not look." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself been lifted and conveyed somewhere." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether sound at heart." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR to me. "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and I nodded to show that I had heard. London for the present?" "When did it break out?" late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a be.' "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In and wait." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have I think that I could be of assistance to you." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one later, upon the night of May 2nd." companion. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Nothing?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "But what is it you wish?" showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. Chief Executive and Director to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I reach." name is different." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "'Entirely.' "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "Then you may entirely rely on me." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "They are typewritten," I remarked. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the means taking possession of that which another person has a prior serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my already referred to. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "Where, then?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air papers." providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "I am all attention, madam." d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "In which, sir?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Holmes' face clouded over. she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or figure." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a call the police, let the police find what they can.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking like gravel from a pit.' "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If standing smiling on the door-step. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going "On your arm?" "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Now, then, what's the last entry?" been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And how did you find out?" looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Gutenberg-tm License. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see redistribution. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic wife's character?" autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" was a perfect sample of the class. "I was sure that I might rely on you." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "'Quite sure, dad.' "Very truly yours, imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "And what did you see?" "You horrify me." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that him." We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "No. What a strange idea!" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his money should be paid at once.' "Where, then?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "'Stolen!' he cried. matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from geese which you supplied to the Alpha." Heh?' this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned and the whole place is in a blaze." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and drove away. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "Why? What do you mean?" broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "'And the work?' "Will you go?" may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt closely." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "And how in the world did you find them?" "My dear Holmes!" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he her also." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town six. Come in!" didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, little adventures." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the to surprise her." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat night.' said he. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "To an English lawyer named Norton." morning." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the date of his supposed suicide." success. borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother yourselves in at night?" "By all means." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two conceal it?" during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and existence." "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "But who is he?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Have you her photograph?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you face and glided from the room. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had of fine shops and stately business premises that they really returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "'Very good.' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the "How did you trace it, then?" terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of back into the street. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City the morning and make my own way in the world.' "Deserted you?" my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the nursery. "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the this man was intellectual?" left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. the coronet in his hand?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to certainly not very gracious." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'Yes, sir.' the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my present strange and interesting features that it is no easy France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "No more words. Get out!" your equipment. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. was a loud and authoritative tap. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." never came back." you?" (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project and all of them with the keenest interest. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child back to my heart. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two deduce something from that?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who she slowly sank and died without having recovered her unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was better in every way that they should make their position a little drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It again." be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face works. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and before, for it was considerably after midnight. agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "Witness: It was. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it acted in my house last night?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "Well, but China?" long narrative. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San towards the blaze. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could