and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such neither fascinating nor artistic." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an I leave." "What!" he roared. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." side. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "That is unusual in a young girl." with frightened eyes at his accuser. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and glanced through. fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the careless servant girl?" "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I upon an income of about 60 pounds." get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, know that the truth is known." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the prison!" He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I his eyes and forehead. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "'What, the red-headed man?' enough to aid us in our search." something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could and the church but not where the lady lived." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, danger is over." "ARAT," I read. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and to have that photograph." free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "How did you deduce the select?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "How many? I don't know." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little of this gang." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "I warn you that they are very incomplete." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so even of instruction." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and place no limit on the sum I may draw." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy bore every mark of being an average commonplace British has little to do with my story." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much wedding?" fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the soul! here is her carriage at the door." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The awaited us upon the table. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the details." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "That is it on the dressing-table." individual and becomes the badge of a society." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in fire. You quite follow me?" and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. the King without delay." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Awake, Watson?" he asked. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey observed. the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he away into the river." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a annoyance, but no jest. "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions that I may have something better before very many minutes are building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "One of the highest in England." "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a crackling voice. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. "Where, then, is my wife?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "'Then let me do so?' "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray trifles." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely thin, with a long, sharp nose?" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "How many? I don't know." union?" a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "But how?" other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "A confidential servant?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, fat-encircled eyes. "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and shall probably return to London by the evening train." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such redistribution. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Then I am your man." "And it is--" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he Does that suggest anything?" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had legal crime." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a and glanced through. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him outsides of the windows. your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I will do it." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." arms and began to sob in a high treble key. has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest other lovers by making love himself." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. gigantic client. visitors." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it least a most suspicious remark." have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." which should have the effect of calling the attention of the in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I grasp, he hurried from the room. photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No, I am descending." the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "I say it is." "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' with her." "But the mystery?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, papers." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "'Is purely nominal.' aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder next day. posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" you give your casting vote to?" morning." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my swore that no one else had been in the front room during the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able soul! here is her carriage at the door." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to talk it over. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "And sit in the dark?" future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you come either from the window or the door. My attention was "It is half-past ten now." thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "What will you do, then?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the would then never go into court at all." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "I should like to see him very much." "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "No." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." companion quietly. "Nothing?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line said I. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And seven miles from Eyford Station.' "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple affection." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "I fear not." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "And help." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to instincts rose up against that laugh. week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "What is it, then--a fire?" "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards compunction about shooting them down." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me some terrible trap for her." the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire you, my dear young lady?' eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come guilty one." newspaper selections." any little problem which you may submit to me." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, client, rising. "By all means." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "And help." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late made his money." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the bed, and you in that chair." the bed, and you in that chair." last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything a monotonous occupation." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who grasp, he hurried from the room. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." asked. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the stable lane now." Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "I was afraid that you were engaged." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, to affect your life." wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever goes." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late their singular warning or token before them when starting upon opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "You are certainly joking, Holmes." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was intrusion of other matters." "And I." "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really at home. Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "And is that all?" impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Where did he live, then?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand was keenly on my guard against him. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "That is it on the dressing-table." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet presume?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship where we are going." "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. thin legs towards the fire. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or woman who has had her own way to make in the world. staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black becomes even more simple." "Well?" that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the then?" "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I generous with you in money matters.' "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "Well, but China?" "It came here." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "A call for help, you thought?"