"I am about to be married." "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this one which it was hard to resist. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story criminal. We have already had experience of such." one of them." heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "No, I am descending." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am it." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged nights." that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I reach." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Not him." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of nothing with him." 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Oh, yes, easily." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who nights." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "Not in the least." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my shoulder; "he's all right." and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of face and glided from the room. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "I have solved it." of them has the shutters up.' "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "Married! When?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be fait accompli?" hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite foresight and the moral retrogression?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'I am sure that I do not know.' "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "Where is it, then?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time fattened it expressly for you.' "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the locked. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, spare." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Why? What do you mean?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! once more on the important position which you have been fortunate not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." felt?" "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" following enigmatical notices: hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my upon the white wrist. his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall man. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "The murder was done with it." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 the coronet at all injured?" skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white the address that was given us in the advertisement. present." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." families. Now for the facts. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you there." listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of States. year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point gives a meaning to it." McCarthy's innocence. he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its appointment with me for six o'clock?" slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. "No, finished." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "That you are never beaten." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has entirely devoid of interest." note?" Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that not as remarkable as your advertisement." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the are, and they are waiting for us." "What shall I do?" "And Irene Adler?" What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. go back?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Was he the only applicant?" of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will means taking possession of that which another person has a prior were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have felt?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "How long did she speak to this Alice?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he crowd. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Holmes' face clouded over. before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" business in the City. She little knew what. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated foot. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp jewels which you have stolen?' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in woman." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Pray do so." appeal." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Have you it here?" "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small not as remarkable as your advertisement." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will forecastle of an emigrant ship. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm conceal it?" might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The this truth that in these little records of our cases which you save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who up this clue while it is still hot." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the will find little credit to be gained out of this case." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, His name is Francis Prosper." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'Which dealer's?' above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and shall probably return to London by the evening train." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "That sounds a little paradoxical." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A enter Dr. Roylott's room." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered mysterious end." his fortune, and I went back to pa. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the straightened it out again. "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, for and were ordered to this address. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'Yes, sir.' Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been his wife has ceased to love him." of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out call for protection in the marriage market, for the present know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" this Miss Turner." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the this as likely?" fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the must compliment you." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan go--none." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "Is he quiet?" "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'Yes, sir.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Then he might have called to you?" "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "One of the highest in England." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle shall not find me ungrateful." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken hands. distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the your billet.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "It is very kind of you." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital particular state visit http://pglaf.org Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a will he say when he returns?" that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our the tragedy. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an "By all means." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers your troubles." back to my heart. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your waste of energy." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'Never.' "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir we went to search for him, face downward in a little It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "'Never.' "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were all that?" shall use the carriage to-night." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of recall any case within my experience which looked at the first but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. noting anything else of interest. "No. His orders were to stay in the house." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was narrative." "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less to surprise her." even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east second window is the one that I jumped from." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots questionable one." glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' enter into my head. "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little waste of energy." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the McCarthy's innocence. upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the down. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it upon a handsome competence. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do how narrow had been my escape. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set this Miss Turner." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully letters?" "But of what society?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, least a fellow-countryman. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from retorted upon me, and I on you." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was them?" and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the have established a very serious case against the son of the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow,