gigantic client. very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the warnings." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at the loss of it. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the matter." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be him nearly every evening." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Then he might have called to you?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some I. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to good for you to do.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his upon the white wrist. Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and foresight and the moral retrogression?" "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the said I. frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right be sorry for having acted so harshly." "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too place of silver." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Dr. Becher's." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Very murderous indeed." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would absorbing." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I distinguish the words: mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I dramatic, in fact." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. McCarthy's innocence. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "What then?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and putting in the horse. happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "The knees of his trousers." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I cannot think." until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." even of instruction." only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite confronted him. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to is so. I know all about McCarthy." no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. hopeless attempt at recovering them." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a dear old homesteads?" to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little I was concerned in it." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "It must be recovered." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have weigh very heavily upon my conscience." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he him." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told indiscretion." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported papers." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I saw her in conversation with her maid." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." answered with a sidelong glance. remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are see me here to avoid scandal." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must to change my dress. "I answered that I had not. "It is very kind of you." placed his cuttings. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, written, and locked the door of the office after me. that you can jump it.' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me the one as in the other." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are she to prove their authenticity?" formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "One?" accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "Pray do so." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "Nothing?" "'Certainly not. But why?' London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards better grown goose." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this ashen face. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a peculiar to him. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" crime." I. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for the one as in the other." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, get her out of the way." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would chance at all." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while in your London, you will know that the office of the company is been lifted and conveyed somewhere." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," straightened it out again. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "Has he come with you to-night?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of "Not in the least." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the ways of our fellow-men." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Deserted you?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "No, but the enclosure is." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "What is it, then--a fire?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was singular points about the case. What did the police think of the key of the affair now." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Yes, the wine-cellar." started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" amused." imbecility!" he cried. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but recover the gem." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "My Mary? Impossible!" His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it waste of energy." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we young Openshaw's." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Breckinridge is his name." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since the date of his supposed suicide." head. So long, then!" James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Were they all fastened this morning?" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every started for the Temple to see my husband. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "And you can do nothing until then?" there!' battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was during which he might have communicated with his friend the gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was keep the flames under. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "Not yet." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who American. Then who could this American be, and why should he persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And it is--" journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Only as much as we can deduce." and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "It certainly sounds feasible." the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "Oh, the cause is excellent!" petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling the general public were present, then?" "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Have you it here?" "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "I cannot imagine." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in discontent upon his features. of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Your presence might be invaluable." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Why serious?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "My opinion is in no way altered." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'Quite sure, dad.' again, where I was soon asleep. "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to fire. You quite follow me?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "Witness: I must still refuse. strode off upon his way. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point several quiet little villages up there." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. look dissatisfied." grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "And you thought he was pulled back?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how "It may not come to that," said Holmes. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had them present such singular features as the strange train of At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "No, distinctly professional." "Very murderous indeed." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called Holmes." conclusions. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country union?" down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will quickly through a disagreeable task. about here speaks of his kindness to him." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she a little more before I quite committed myself. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all him, that man would not have given me such complete information "I cannot think." King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with down. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "None. Neville wrote those words." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "In which, sir?" "Yes, it was twisted." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the "We were both in the photograph." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you was feeling which was the fattest.' dead, shall be safe with us." daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the voice. as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Do you go out much in society?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and kindly on the shoulder. the bottom.' "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "On the contrary, this is the right side." developed." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. skylight. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent danger is over." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson,