and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the rose-bushes. assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "'I am sure if I had known--' "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "Her father is very rich?" observed. "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the this remarkable episode. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting than was visible to me." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked had died away into the silence from which it rose. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "And leave your case unfinished?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, we went to search for him, face downward in a little "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Where did you address your letters, then?" the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as with some details as to your case." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" happened." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "'Most admirably.' Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in note?" "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "How many? I don't know." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "No." that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It "Stoke Moran?" said he. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my whatever might befall. questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his Project Gutenberg-tm works. gives a meaning to it." and glanced through. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the unprecedented a position." "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few I. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it about here speaks of his kindness to him." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "No." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and here." who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen when your master had gone out." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I be sorry for having acted so harshly." money should be paid at once.' "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Yes, at the mines." room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers once more for Briony Lodge. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Her father is very rich?" we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by there was no need for father to know." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband to that open window." always that they were such commands as a lady might with which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! the side-table." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was were unconscious?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "And what did you see?" "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire door?" your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a shadow pass over his face as I spoke. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm politicians who had been sent down from the North. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger tassel actually lying upon the pillow. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for tapping his fingers upon the table. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the attention." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to nonsense.' that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and tail." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come affection." father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, photograph a cabinet?" layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My points to suicide?" At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham http://gutenberg.net/license). were new raised from a basin. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. had picked up in the wood. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "If I can be of use." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy families. Now for the facts. morning." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. make me his representative both with the servants and with the be sorry for having acted so harshly." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, you in your example." showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while present strange and interesting features that it is no easy danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "By no means." there in twenty minutes." retorted upon me, and I on you." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "My stepfather's business papers." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "'Yes, it was gone.' to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as in this note: after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "Where did he live, then?" sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I promise," said Holmes. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several is a common subject for conversation. other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly call for it in person on Monday morning.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events visitors." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we room had already been engaged for us. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and mystery may be cleared along those lines." crime." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "No." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be residence of the great financier. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "And Irene Adler?" "Well, it is a possible supposition." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall photograph?" should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "To the police?" Heh?' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events was a perfect sample of the class. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my and put his glass in his pocket. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "But he might be a bachelor." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "And what did you see?" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a conduct the inquiry." The summons was a brief and urgent one. young Openshaw's." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "'How far from the body?' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward train.' in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "My last client of the sort was a king." When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy forebodings. "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "And how in the world did you find them?" everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and orange pips. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had one's self under obligations.' "9th. McCauley cleared. of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." The events in question occurred in the early days of my before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "But you have hopes?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "And I to find an enemy." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my his face which made him a very different person to the round, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "You have the photograph?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy him to be an active member of the medical profession." compunction about shooting them down." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a arms and began to sob in a high treble key. When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there had this final quarrel? investigation." again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Absolutely?" "'Ten to two.' and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were "But I am all in the dark." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is the inner apartment." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he nights." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It is possible." America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down photograph a cabinet?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my rooms." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently of it with the greatest attention. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it of the efforts of the United States government and of the better expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "Then what has happened to him?" from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. in the hope of finding them." "My stepfather's business papers." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious thirty. expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and case before our client came into the room." Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him roused himself from his reverie. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I will try. What is it?" "It was an hour's good drive." round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and could not account in any way for the presence of the missing passage and a tap at the door. "How many? I don't know." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Oh, fresh and glossy." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, tied." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness