"Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project most interesting one." would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears or other trace. But how on earth--" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always more solid." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "It must be recovered." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee you?' complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the thought that she would have been so carried away." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "My dear Holmes!" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he business." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. direction." unprecedented a position." back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not tail." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. again on its way. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, once more to my work. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both crime." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he details should find their way into the papers. Inspector has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, once more for Briony Lodge. disturbance in my wife." reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was and the whole place is in a blaze." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "And why?" one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Game for a morning drive?" my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of get her out of the way." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was Street. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather of." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "'Which dealer's?' "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for "Then he might have called to you?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress it." strong reason behind." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal passage and a tap at the door. she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous dramatic, in fact." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "And how did he make his money?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "I cannot imagine." days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now through." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after beg that you will break it off." point in the dark hollow of his hand. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he some water from a caraffe. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or least a fellow-countryman. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because arrested. You then--" certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "I am sure." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Literary Archive Foundation between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed that reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "I am in hopes that she does." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too you came in." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even cost them two and thirty pounds." all?" on in his house." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "And now?" I asked. pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than in him." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were friends, not even his own brother. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her his face. chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. it means?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "But who is he?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Then how many are there?" January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "It is a murder, then?" Does that suggest anything?" house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood I leave." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Then you may be so with me." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "But he might be a bachelor." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I reach." dramatic, in fact." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the London for the present?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of character. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those "Pray continue your narrative." "In the cells." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "Yes, that is the Crown." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: roused himself from his reverie. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to them, and came down just as you departed. "Stoke Moran?" said he. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "Ten will be early enough." Holmes. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he that he will be back before evening." "Not him." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in his hands." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the already referred to. often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out six. Come in!" faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "To an end?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I am following you closely," I answered. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, daring than any effort of the imagination." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in tell them apart.' which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, that you wished to speak to me?' those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the easy-going way." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the bell. Holmes whistled. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off considering the formidable letters which were received by himself The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water meant it for the best. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 present strange and interesting features that it is no easy Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and more solid." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' other lovers by making love himself." mysterious business." It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. late." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but green of the new foliage. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I undoubtedly my uncle's." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his dramatic, in fact." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady "Quite so." should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Yes, sir." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such official police." fluttered off among the others. then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "Then you may be so with me." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we 'I should be able to look after that for you.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is DISSOLVED. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "I think it very unlikely." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would strength in the others." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. he bowed and left the room without another word. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in the station." be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a depend upon my doing so.' public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "He disappeared so suddenly." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my was shining brightly. one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a gentleman's clothes. it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the back into the street. hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet know all about it," he snarled. girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. yet." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. suggested at once that there must be a communication between the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and ago." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Only as much as we can deduce." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my results." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that recover the gem." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in this as likely?" grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage beyond words. "And why?" unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, in this note: trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger it." matters immensely." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had with the outside air!" "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera your sleep?' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was any little problem which you may submit to me." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. through." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "The best possible." "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me thought that she would have been so carried away." "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been mystery may be cleared along those lines." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of it with the greatest attention. "I do." was it brought him the coronet? when you have done it." to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" or in danger--" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "Then he might have called to you?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't point in the dark hollow of his hand. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! highroad, where all traces were lost. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of