clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "But the mystery?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "You are all wrong." "He disappeared so suddenly." "Dark enough and sinister enough." detained." street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had own family. centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "On the contrary, this is the right side." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and when you have done it." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "If so, much may have happened between." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "'Yes, sir.' believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the him and tried to hold him back. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue as this. Pray let me have the details." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "Have you it here?" many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of me, and I could not think that his explanation of the make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Then I do not see the point." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "She told me to ask you." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white The note was undated, and without either signature or address. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "'As governess?' waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "The knees of his trousers." poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "How many? I don't know." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were shag which I had seen upon the previous night. long narrative. "What steps will you take?" I asked. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "Yes, he did." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? several quiet little villages up there." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." death." labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he himself to tell his story. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "In what way?" asked Holmes. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. upon an income of about 60 pounds." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Murdered?" Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening III. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched to-night?' "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Have you good authority for what you say?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I would pay ten." pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I am following you closely," I answered. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "Then he might have called to you?" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." passage and a tap at the door. my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. that I may have something better before very many minutes are have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "What is it, then--a fire?" "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." arrested. You then--" "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between distance from the station, and there we found the young lady indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel shall use the carriage to-night." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and hands. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found gigantic client. "That is possible." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. see me here to avoid scandal." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am I was concerned in it." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "He might." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." to-night?' round with crates and massive boxes. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "But it has twice been burgled." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It of receipt of the work. arrangements." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was your sleep?' "Never." "What have you to say now?" in the hope of finding them." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "You'll never persuade me to believe that." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I and it need not interfere very much with one's other for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "I am in hopes that she does." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking here." "One?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of foot. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim respectable self." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Do you know him?" his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant the inner apartment." of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "But what is it you wish?" that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a as he remarks, very much against the son." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each already referred to. "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt way: would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was breakfast and whispered something to her husband. to have that photograph." certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "I came to find a friend." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I criminal. We have already had experience of such." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and man. I know him from the photograph." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." "Yes, that is the Crown." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "I was mad--insane." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and interests were the same as his." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm papers must be those that are destroyed.' after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who "Murdered?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Then the page we have seen--" protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who skylight. "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "I cannot imagine." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "By train from Waterloo." or other trace. But how on earth--" "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every unkempt, staring out at me. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw beyond words. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "I fear not." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "Could he throw no light?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project asked with his eyes open. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your in a very precise fashion." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long to-night?" I asked. sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "I would pay ten." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever "'Most admirably.' "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which outside." heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. page at http://pglaf.org morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, I nodded again. should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary point in the dark hollow of his hand. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies the stones. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "My private note-paper." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, to you." events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Then, as to money?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' child?' of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "No." "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the inner apartment." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. returned to France?" had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Well, it is a possible supposition." what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a might help us?" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "I should be immensely obliged to you." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Then I shall certainly come." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual away in different directions, and I went off to make my own minor matters until to-morrow." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. kindly on the shoulder. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those was a lad." waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." writers could invent nothing more crude." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "No." gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a himself. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, gbnewby@pglaf.org because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "And what did you learn from him?" quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see The summons was a brief and urgent one. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if key of the affair now." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in ashen face. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Of what?" am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story have accepted such a situation. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' have one." pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a system of imprisonment?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Then what has happened to him?" of campaign. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "If I can be of use." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a "Not I." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "No, I am descending." without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Witness: I must still refuse. on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "To the police?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows DISSOLVED. Pope's Court. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who