"You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out some mystery and the punishment of some crime." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the weary and pale-looking. my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." name is different." bare slabs of marble. stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "And for present expenses?" jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his I approached. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." over part of the map. "What do you read?" hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Not him." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set prove to be little relation between the different incidents of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my an introduction to him?" populous neighbourhood." distinguish the words: coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "I cannot as yet see any connection." about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham during the last few years, and there are many noble families to When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could "Pray let us have it, for all that." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "Nothing?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in triumphant cloud from his cigarette. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "What then?" after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did existence." tell him that I know him to be innocent." which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "But it has twice been burgled." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so never came back." detained." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. infinite languor in his face. as this. Pray let me have the details." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Ah!" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "Did you become engaged then?" "You did not overhear what they said?" with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "What I expected to see." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other mysterious business." "Only as much as we can deduce." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its is so. I know all about McCarthy." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The spark where all is dark to me." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "But I am all in the dark." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But his lameness?" meant." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, next day. "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an tapping his fingers upon the table. that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few existence." light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some if only as a check to my own memory." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "My opinion is in no way altered." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of formed some opinion?" will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. side. the coronet in his hand?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so asked. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face throat." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not comes from the middle window." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him way in." fat-encircled eyes. bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, infinite languor in his face. weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business http://gutenberg.net/license). butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to said he. adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Imitated." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his guilty one." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking sentimental considerations in the background which would induce will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. written, and locked the door of the office after me. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and of Fenchurch Street." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the shaken than I had ever seen him. same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how John Swain, of St. Augustine. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the not within a twentieth part of the market price." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and if I call to-morrow?" Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I she used." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur closely." gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into experiences." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. one or two very singular points about this room. For example, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously all that?" happened." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute appeal." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "But what will you do?" flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend these bleak autumnal evenings." he. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in the dead of the night?' may have an influence upon European history." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will I. - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the father's place of business?" Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a lumber-room." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a questioning and rather startled gaze. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, chamber." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them My friend smiled. me what he had done with the three missing stones. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I was mad--insane." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I woven round him. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & kind enough to tell me what I should do." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a think that he is innocent?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Which are?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon tension within him. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, for securing the situation." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Never." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a of the one which your family is now devouring." "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a London for the present?" "But what is it you wish?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" felt?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." bird I ate is country bred." you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "I fear not." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "How did you deduce the select?" The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy until night should bring an explanation. "Where, then?" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of "But how?" shoulder; "he's all right." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "What?" "By no means." mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must putting in the horse. you." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I It was close upon four before the door opened, and a Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to evidence," I remarked. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became with you?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of looking up at the numbers of the houses." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the whether it answered to the description of any of their refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "When did she vanish, then?" rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the so-precious time, but come!' away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Yes, it was twisted." "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and I leave." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "'Yes, sir.' villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "Witness: It was. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "It is a murder, then?" small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "'Certainly not. But why?' for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "I have my revolver," said I. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "And the cigar-holder?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Well, but China?" "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a answer." never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' acquaintance?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" quick march!" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "The gentleman I describe." see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in my special province." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, keep the flames under. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which hurried away. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "Absolutely none." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any passage and a tap at the door. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "And leave your case unfinished?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I this Miss Turner." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy "And now?" I asked. quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." "Were they all fastened this morning?" Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the think you a quite exceptional woman." cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it bachelor.' that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "An accident, I presume?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or once more. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "'Is purely nominal.' said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Where to?" agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few with frightened eyes at his accuser. "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." records." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia."