"Yes, it was twisted." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was "Oh, yes, easily." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began gbnewby@pglaf.org of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause "Very truly yours, entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Dr. Becher's." actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I shall be delighted." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "None." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "The King of Scandinavia." "'Then let me do so?' matter." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "An accident, I presume?" may have an influence upon European history." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "Always." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Yes, the wine-cellar." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than during which he might have communicated with his friend the lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part it were putty." shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, acquaintance?" home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. more terrible than the truth. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." noting anything else of interest. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, chamber." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident to arrive at through this?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their have one." "Certainly." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat rat could hardly pass through." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." very morning of my second wedding." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, once more for Briony Lodge. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the exactly what you advise." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." writers could invent nothing more crude." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No Sutherland. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," should be taken.' delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become chance." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence do.' I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step whole matter to your consideration." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, from the brougham. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "And on what day did he meet his death?" Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Yes." in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My attention." the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." of this gang." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "The rest you will leave in our hands." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural will he say when he returns?" should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "What is it?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only to arrive at through this?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I am in hopes that she does." in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "And sit in the dark?" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I will get her to show me." untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a as the one I chose?' fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. and effective." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring "And why?" brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence upon a handsome competence. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a was it brought him the coronet? of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, have accepted such a situation. the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair redistribution. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and case before our client came into the room." exactly what you advise." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "'Yes, sir.' voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'Certainly,' I answered. "Quite so." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "And who is her maid?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes pound a week." man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the King without delay." "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." nothing of it?" "And now?" I asked. "Yes." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my leave you to your papers for a little." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my From what you have told me I think that it is possible that been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, which we had just quitted. name is different." "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "Not him." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Then I am your man." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the name is different." "By no means." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the walking." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no bled considerably." "You don't mind breaking the law?" brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "Two days later this same performance was gone through under stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else begin with, and I had not got mine yet." Holmes." roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "'And what are they worth?' I asked. me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who any little problem which you may submit to me." "And how did you verify them?" awaited us upon the table. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "I think it very unlikely." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we think that any burglar could have done. been shamefully used." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned empty. "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some test if we have an answer to our advertisement." teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Sutherland. appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence not interfere, come what may. You understand?" asked. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Yes." matter over." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was reach." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project gone. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but present strange and interesting features that it is no easy however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with to me. 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. before, for it was considerably after midnight. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Get out!" said he. surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him companion. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and been deceived." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with and wait." "No." Pool. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my where we are going." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check him, that man would not have given me such complete information very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and away in different directions, and I went off to make my own for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "On the contrary, this is the right side." "She walked into the breakfast-room." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a several quiet little villages up there." My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "And I." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." outsides of the windows. "That is easily got." very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so back alive. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, existence." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Yes." "Precisely." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always joking. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Where, then?" "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on is acting for the best. matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." which it had come upon my father." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "Deserted you?" give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than thirty. 11:15.' "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, that, and I came down." "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy yourselves in at night?" tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I silent! Oh, he will be silent!' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still woman." all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "My last client of the sort was a king." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? populous neighbourhood." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the some terrible trap for her." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in a very precise fashion." I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Then I shall certainly come." some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the Sholtos." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be "'Tell me all about it,' said I. following enigmatical notices: "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we helping a boy to put up the shutters. because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to my room." "And the murderer?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "But he might be a bachelor." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A strength of mind to control. outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." congratulate you again." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' mysterious business." about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Not I." giving me time to thank him. "And when will you call?" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "My photograph." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of But Holmes shook his head gravely. "What steps will you take?" I asked. had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Sholtos." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All extraordinary contortions. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the writing, and yet I know it well." "The Cedars?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the