Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with to have been novel and of interest." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. where she found matters as described by the last witness. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the man. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am me. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would important." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He weapon." him." "BALLARAT." own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to good-night and bustled off upon her way. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take foresight and the moral retrogression?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the for its centre. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "The gentleman I describe." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was me what he had done with the three missing stones. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing pity, because in other respects you would really have done very explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the like gravel from a pit.' was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in sit on the left-hand side of the driver." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." them?" thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but written, and locked the door of the office after me. I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was key of the affair now." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of with frightened eyes at his accuser. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. kind enough to tell me what I should do." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring see me here to avoid scandal." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a empty. "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Certainly." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one you." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. served to weaken the effect. sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that strange features which were associated with the two crimes which chair. I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Sutherland. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San strong and stiff." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Holmes' room. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I his face which made him a very different person to the round, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are promised to bring home. you." corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he hands. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' politicians who had been sent down from the North. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "He is dead," cried several voices. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so lumber-room." his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were weary and pale-looking. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and strength in the others." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on fashion which was peculiar to him. or other trace. But how on earth--" THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a chance at all." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me it. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and had a long day." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the look upon these things in a different way." at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "'Is 4 pounds a week.' copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, power." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the derbies." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Did you observe the colour?" am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "What can it mean?" I gasped. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation window when the police appeared." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue chance at all." diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "I promise," said Holmes. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, confronted him. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of acquaintance?" "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "And when will you call?" London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away she slowly sank and died without having recovered her c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, chair. "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "And why?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "A thing like a cleaver," said he. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to on re-entering her father's house?" always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. despaired of." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me be best to do. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he cigars in their mouths. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. developed." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "That is easily got." pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "Yes." cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the ran thus: spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "My own seal." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It writing, and yet I know it well." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm conceal it?" so far?" weapon." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. awaited us upon the table. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded that?' business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "She told me to ask you." clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey have not had my rubber." "Nothing." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, to tell." Project Gutenberg-tm works. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was or in danger--" the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "And is that all?" politicians who had been sent down from the North. the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Here?" The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, had a long day." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to followed. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a chair. Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." said he at last. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is swore that no one else had been in the front room during the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in II. "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted have an American origin." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "How often?" not, dad?" she asked. wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted fattened it expressly for you.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Stoke Moran." stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "My dear Holmes!" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'What do you call purely nominal?' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "But how will you look?" stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "And for present expenses?" footfalls from the street. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, even of instruction." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Absolutely none." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Heh?' what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "No." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of of Mr. Rucastle's." listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the coronet at all injured?" than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a was a perfect sample of the class. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What is it?" Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord to me. from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us me. You must get home instantly and act." I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'Tell me all about it,' said I. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a so far?" "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and locked." George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And Irene Adler?" for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower