years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had and shall probably return to London by the evening train." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite the inner apartment." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, the inquest, and which are worth considering." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other presented more singular features than that which was associated was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best ventilator." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed his face which made him a very different person to the round, of your young ladies.' lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Yes, sir.' look dissatisfied." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "What have you to say now?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "You did not overhear what they said?" and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "You have the photograph?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters what I may call a really hard day's work." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by are windows in it, of course?" a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round should be taken.' eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "My own seal." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of directors, with the result that you have seen." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined suspect him." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. lips." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. and glanced through. long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one and looked back. was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Very murderous indeed." at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "They are typewritten," I remarked. a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "We have tried and failed." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." will be renamed. this remarkable episode. "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been one which it was hard to resist. "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, room?" "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But searched, without anything being found which could incriminate himself in a perplexing position. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me "Pray be precise as to details," said he. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "Dr. Becher's." commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away acted in my house last night?" deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a as he remarks, very much against the son." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A Holmes' room. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "A call for help, you thought?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford said I. Young McCarthy must be got off, however." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has his wife has ceased to love him." "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" business." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but my friend's incisive reasoning. dear old homesteads?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed impression behind it as though a window had gently closed impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." will not take me long to tell. "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the here and I will read it to you: play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Nor running a chance of arrest?" of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I not as remarkable as your advertisement." to-morrow." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Munro.' I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called whether it answered to the description of any of their while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "In heaven's name, what for?" 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "Really! You surprise me." voice, changing her seat as requested. "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of as the one I chose?' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'Very good.' "But you can know nothing of this?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "What will you say?" better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he be best to do. Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of which should have the effect of calling the attention of the most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than was a lad." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard that I am arrested." I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward kind enough to tell me what I should do." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the bottom.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon public press." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Indeed! Whose, then?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Married! When?" All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several them?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he suggested at once that there must be a communication between the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "'About the same.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and tension within him. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," him!" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, before, for it was considerably after midnight. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had details." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which like that before?" black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been people don't know." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "Well?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a wedding?" and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' passage and a tap at the door. to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. Literary Archive Foundation "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "'What are you doing there?' he asked. attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I will not look." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook official police." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "But it has twice been burgled." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and "'Where could I find him?' Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." forbidden door. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and chance at all." me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from indiscretion." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Clair, of Lee." "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer indeed which he could not unravel. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "And it is--" eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said individual and becomes the badge of a society." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I I held the little printed slip to the light. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a happened." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such ready to-morrow?' with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. habit of advancing money.' passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "I cannot tell." delirious. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Sutherland?" "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can nonsense.' and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to other means.' Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "No, thank goodness, she did not." "But you have hopes?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his child?' "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him there were so many in the whole country as were brought together showing my impatience. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought disappearance of the bride.'" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by man. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the III. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, province." kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "'Is 4 pounds a week.' continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. which our visitor detailed to us. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it keep the flames under. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life dear old homesteads?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting bled considerably." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my what these perils are?" suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "How did that help you?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any evidence," I remarked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the you in yours." out of this horrible affair." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, used to be." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining arrangements." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You which should have the effect of calling the attention of the along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I don't believe it." Lee, in the county of Kent." did not hear it also.' hurried away. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet will take you up to see the machine.' Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "But she could not love him." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love