"Won't it ring?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a figure." That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "I assure you that I am in your hands." used to be." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob in him." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, shall not find me ungrateful." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "But I have heard all that you have heard." "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' laugh and put his lips to my ear. one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Very much so." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have License. You must require such a user to return or "And how did you verify them?" impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes The King stared at him in amazement. arrested. You then--" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." problems help me to do so." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. at a side door. "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. in the port of London." agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. to-night?" I asked. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I will try. What is it?" maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "So it appears." upon an income of about 60 pounds." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the himself to hunt down. imbecility!" he cried. continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very disappearance of the bride.'" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her prepare for the new role I have to play." "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to it." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting ran thus: after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will get the tickets." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar I nodded again. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "You saw the ventilator, too?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in this as likely?" "Have you her photograph?" wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "Never to return." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "Yes, it was twisted." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on this unhappy family?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring a few minutes he said that it would be all right. lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "Precisely so. But how--" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "And what did you learn from him?" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the "Pray be precise as to details," said he. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face call it cruel." "There are none." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "The best possible." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who stepfather?" so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. several quiet little villages up there." "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "No." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "Never to return." hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime people in all walks of life. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." question," said Holmes, smiling. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may threw himself down with his face to the pillow. that you saw all that I did." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are flock.' "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were business matters.' weighed down with some great anxiety. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "Yes." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied you for a few hours?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "We must have a cab." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to advice." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "One horse?" interjected Holmes. "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of his grey eyes. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I "You are hungry," I remarked. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we hand, madam?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the present." the inner apartment." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "What then?" Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying enough to aid us in our search." "She will not sell." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged late." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington mystery may be cleared along those lines." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her direction." "It surprised me." shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with awaited us upon the table. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my outbreak?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Lestrade of Scotland Yard." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "How many? I don't know." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way not come at once?" stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that maiden herself was most instructive." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a This is what he says: of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." the child." turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than it with his own hands." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "And how did you find out?" "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "By no means." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Sutherland?" even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Of Friday, June 19th." "One of his hands." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in enough to aid us in our search." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, forbidden door. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner followed. hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't too. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "'About the same.' that was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the looking up at the numbers of the houses." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak would apply.' of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "May I see it?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "And what did you learn from him?" assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been and I shall be with you presently." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Surrey." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' problems help me to do so." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I your Highness to the police-station?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. in darkness. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the woven round him. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the presented which may be striking and bizarre without being what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Where does the thing come from?' "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible meant." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Nothing." "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she Mary, has deserted me." lips." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from during which he might have communicated with his friend the my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A habit of advancing money.' "I cannot tell." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "By all means." on in his house." "I am still in the dark." carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure His smile broadened. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person unclasping of his long thin hands. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who residence of the great financier. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in you?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and His smile broadened. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass character. "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was tension within him. "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "That sounds a little paradoxical." invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "She will not sell." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." relief. call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the Gutenberg-tm License. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some "Yes." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the held up the lantern and gazed about him. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying washing it down with a long draught of water. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers must compliment you." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't standing smiling on the door-step. "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. the matter?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding depend upon your compliance." "And now?" He raised his hand. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "And sit in the dark?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of Mr. Rucastle's." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will of Mr. Rucastle's." empty. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself certainly not very gracious." But Holmes shook his head gravely. Farm upon the left." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He