permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, matter." "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "Where, indeed?" But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he any." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. this man was intellectual?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in as the one I chose?' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "Dr. Becher's." "Indeed! Whose, then?" of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had meanly of me." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, burst out into a roar of laughter. "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "Awake, Watson?" he asked. homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My congenial hunt. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The bedroom door." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of fine shops and stately business premises that they really served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the any more." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and photograph?" whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself into her hand at the door and which lured her within their pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. photograph?" made him keep the appointment." national property. I was determined that the law should have its someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as that I can to serve you." Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "That is easily got." "You will not go there first?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her disturbance in my wife." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "But how will you look?" the coronet in his hands?" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his without a word or a look. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been past. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "Ah!" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior legal crime." "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" mystery!" erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Not him." those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry happened." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum certainly do as you advise." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "And the cigar-holder?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to yet." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "And how?" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "No, I think that I'll take it." in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. I have it here in my museum." "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of matter." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that you understand?" me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. least a fellow-countryman. "You have compromised yourself seriously." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "Then I shall certainly come." over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully The King stared at him in amazement. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There come either from the window or the door. My attention was while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would help us in this matter." "The best possible." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "She walked into the breakfast-room." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the coronet in his hands?" "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS you in your example." became a certainty. "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Witness: I must still refuse. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his "Yes." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE his cane at the bell-pull. "When did it break out?" Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the sufficient punishment." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark fear." Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the what do you think they found in the pockets?" probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. the morning and make my own way in the world.' Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I must be when I saw the door open.' There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of it with his own hands." lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "But how could you guess what the motive was?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "They are typewritten," I remarked. walking." and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door said he. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and hereditary King of Bohemia." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Pray do so." weary and pale-looking. rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, guilty one." "None." prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after that he has suffered." case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the night.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "I don't say that. Perhaps." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." purpose equally well?" who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United it." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes." the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put and have this put in the evening papers." gone. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary if I call to-morrow?" read it out to me." affair. "Where, then?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, redistribution. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "Did you observe the colour?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the companion. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the fire. You quite follow me?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it written. whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal not interfere, come what may. You understand?" glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern of this gang." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your key turn in the lock." footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each "Yes, sir." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "And how did you find out?" had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, test if we have an answer to our advertisement." then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for deduce something from that?" which it had come upon my father." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, a good hundred miles off by now." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some least a fellow-countryman. whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs to me. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. before the coroner and the police-court." manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "And it is--" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right call the police, let the police find what they can.' wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "And that is--" day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it fluttered off among the others. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." gone before you can get him to hospital." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." begun to whiten, even as mine has." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for IS "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "'Is purely nominal.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch eavesdroppers?' idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that corner of the building. "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right to me. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting was shining brightly. extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Certainly not.' a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will I nodded to show that I had heard. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, desk. head. So long, then!" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has politicians who had been sent down from the North. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond writing, and yet I know it well." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in III. "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "What! You do not mean bodies?" cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock Serpentine Avenue. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Absolutely none." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower me." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "Yes, at the mines." affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the spare." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" away to you." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a back to my heart. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "In answer to an advertisement." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously