bears upon the case?" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** invisible to me," I remarked. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "'How far from the body?' nice household for a young lady." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with shag which I had seen upon the previous night. matter over." of Mr. Rucastle's." Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather garden below. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the name is different." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a during that time.' case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is American. Then who could this American be, and why should he inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "And that is--" "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon upon an income of about 60 pounds." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. assist you in forming an opinion." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "The decline of his fortunes, then?" on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have and I shall be with you presently." To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation "I fear not." "I say it is." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the child." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. man. there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, in the port of London." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, so far?" why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "I cannot as yet see any connection." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "My opinion is in no way altered." "Certainly." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in present strange and interesting features that it is no easy 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled most important business. It is probable that he will be away all opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six entirely devoid of interest." simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have noting anything else of interest. "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "Pray continue your narrative." yet." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with most interesting one." Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had was the fact that his father should, according to his account, have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "That's no good." clang of the bell. paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "I cannot say that I have." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. into her hand at the door and which lured her within their forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled room?" With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the my little problems." you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "'Oh, no.' "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "No, distinctly professional." "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down be sorry for having acted so harshly." "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "But he might be a bachelor." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this suddenly upon us." overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. six. Come in!" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we people don't know." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal the very morning of the wedding." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is a good hundred miles off by now." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "What have you done?" asked Holmes. particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he Does that suggest anything?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I am armed." a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "A call for help, you thought?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the you." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Ha! you find it so?" "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at affection." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "ARAT," I read. considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. know that the truth is known." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your Count Von Kramm." "I cannot tell." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "I answered that I had not. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to there in twenty minutes." broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of horse could go." disappearance of the bride.'" butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, "It is very clear." I shall continue with my miserable story. "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "That sounds a little paradoxical." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the carried out of court." pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." intimate personal affairs in this public manner." very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord rat could hardly pass through." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I should like to see him very much." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "It must be recovered." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good question. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled and your relations to her." drawing your inferences." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a Street. five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but coroner's jury." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his presented which may be striking and bizarre without being him to go away.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, was not a bird to be seen there. beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, me, and I could not think that his explanation of the door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing be best to do. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the wall." know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving papers must be those that are destroyed.' be best to do. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." later, upon the night of May 2nd." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away "He said too much." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a your billet.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark to some other building. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me him." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." straightened it out again. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been "It surprised me." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Certainly." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond whether it answered to the description of any of their The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "Dirty?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm the room while you explain this matter?" reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Won't it ring?" the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "And I." "May I see it?" "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some matters immensely." disappearance of these gems?" the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a the inner apartment." discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he like that before?" what I may call a really hard day's work." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw appeal." and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "But I have heard all that you have heard." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are him, that man would not have given me such complete information so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "'Never.' her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until and all of them with the keenest interest. "Then I do not see the point." with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten your most interesting statement." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very any little problem which you may submit to me." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS bears upon the case?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah opened the door, and slipped through. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged You want to know what became of those geese?" "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "I think it very unlikely." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the at once, for I have only half an hour." how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding will find little credit to be gained out of this case." assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage easy-going way." do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the invisible to me," I remarked. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I very old mansion. the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "I cannot imagine." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had drove away. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Whose house is it?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with once more. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before But Holmes shook his head gravely. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had strength." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of clanging. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could ways of our fellow-men." said I. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "But how did you gain them?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in to affect your life." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "Never to return." "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "And how did you find out?" like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his said he. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered