some water from a caraffe. sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "I fear not." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be think you a quite exceptional woman." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his floor. him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My hurried away. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making it." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the "So it appears." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She everything which you would wish to know." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to she slowly sank and died without having recovered her blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." that I am arrested." master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up round with crates and massive boxes. thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Tired-looking or fresh?" gone. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But characteristics, but those are the more obvious." circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he I shall communicate with you." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "No legal papers or certificates?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which on re-entering her father's house?" His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Pray tell us what has happened to you." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other to his chemical studies. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Then I am your man." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Never to return." to-night?" I asked. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE distinguish the words: calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "None." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. once more to my work. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There writer." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and Pope's Court, Fleet Street." drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when which our visitor detailed to us. "He disappeared so suddenly." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw people don't know." will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the Does that suggest anything?" "Was your sister dressed?" breakfast?" sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "That is possible." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, maiden herself was most instructive." instincts rose up against that laugh. name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a guilty one." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "I think it very unlikely." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I promise," said Holmes. "I cannot imagine." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, in a very precise fashion." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to lips." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the we went to search for him, face downward in a little should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." there has been an enclosure here!" does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I strong reason behind." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter new acquaintance to Baker Street. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my wanted for ourselves." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while villagers almost as much as their master. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he leaning back in his chair. possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, to that open window." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Seven!" I answered. purpose equally well?" his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "But you can know nothing of this?" Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, he died? I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Then you may be so with me." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, ventilator." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a prepare for the new role I have to play." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be and inquire as to the address." Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. he. "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" the coronet at all injured?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had keep the flames under. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of him to be an active member of the medical profession." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez father's place of business?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry key of the affair now." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was From what you have told me I think that it is possible that of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in "It missed him, then?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I memory. "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a to miss it." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very ordinary clothes on?" be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to tackle the facts." hereditary King of Bohemia." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "9th. McCauley cleared. Edgeware Road. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less envelope. question," said Holmes, smiling. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "My last client of the sort was a king." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "It is possible." "Pray continue your narrative." "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some where we are going." she might be summoned. "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you conversation I have gathered that they have been married about enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." that thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next the inquest, and which are worth considering." last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen burst out into a roar of laughter. Surrey." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. vanished into the darkness. "Did you become engaged then?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more Holmes' room. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who about here speaks of his kindness to him." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. the stable lane now." probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, without a word or a look. together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their occupations.' making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting of Fenchurch Street." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the room while you explain this matter?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door even so self-evident a thing as that." hands. be there in time for your coming." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his he died? partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. which we had just quitted. furiously. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the salesman. were wasted." impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless even so self-evident a thing as that." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her "Yes, there are nearly always some there." thirty. free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home it." called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached is now desirous of getting those letters back." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at like that before?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of rat could hardly pass through." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "Tired-looking or fresh?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, investigation." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of ventilator." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE think that any burglar could have done. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Could he throw no light?" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and skylight. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was at a side door. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has way in." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a me have 200 pounds?' sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "Which are?" "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? not fit the lock." chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in green of the new foliage. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "BALLARAT." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late directors, with the result that you have seen." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety such attractions and accomplishments?' call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come shall not find me ungrateful." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, highly," said Holmes. "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' she might be summoned. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an to that open window." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been matter over." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. village inn over there?" in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "No legal papers or certificates?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. in darkness. a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your answered with a sidelong glance. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the general public were present, then?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting important." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been during the last few years, and there are many noble families to had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its said he. the loss of it. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said for securing the situation." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Will you go?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something lips." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering your bag." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "No." Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Then how many are there?" colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of The note was undated, and without either signature or address. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "'Yes, it was gone.' For additional contact information: you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "Precisely." foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive