"And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to "Where, then, is my wife?" my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my shall use the carriage to-night." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "To the police?" touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble chill to my heart. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Yes." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no with the outside air!" twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "Then how many are there?" took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her and wait." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very and inquire as to the address." "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to delighted to hear it," he said. believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Yes, from Horsham." going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Yes." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and companion quietly. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his himself in a perplexing position. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would lumber-room." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" golden eyeglasses. his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "It's nothing of the kind." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would dramatic, in fact." girl said." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and newspaper selections." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. him." "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the Project Gutenberg-tm works. Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I have come for advice." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to prove to be little relation between the different incidents of generous with you in money matters.' handed it to him. fattened it expressly for you.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "How are you getting on?" dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its knowledge of the world." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so during that time.' "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than which it had come upon my father." Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he present." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "None." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "But his lameness?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic said I. me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "And sit in the dark?" "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on my friend's incisive reasoning. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "Very truly yours, "'Tell me all about it,' said I. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a taking in every detail of the apartment. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is "What I expected to see." Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then from you?" "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her you?" "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "At half-wages, in fact." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very in his hands." after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Did he not advertise?" which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer where Mr. Fordham shows you.' me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "And it is--" the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and which it had come upon my father." possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" take the flies, but not before." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "'Where could I find him?' observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, returned to France?" in a very precise fashion." it." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "'What are you doing there?' he asked. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the call you and give you the chance." submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven here and I will read it to you: drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly walking." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, late." tightly behind him. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." one of them." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that bird I ate is country bred." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "And now?" I asked. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "No. What a strange idea!" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an round with crates and massive boxes. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past window when the police appeared." have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. pound a week." a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "I am armed." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white "When did she vanish, then?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Absolutely none." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few British peeress.'" new duties?' at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Absolutely?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he tassel actually lying upon the pillow. keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small possible that we could bring him back to her? I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle woven round him. Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Imitated." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "I shall be delighted." long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, business?" "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. just called myself is not exactly my own." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and skylight. written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but his forehead." "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Precisely." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are own family. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my as this. Pray let me have the details." "No." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am opportunities to fix the problem. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had depend upon my doing so.' brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Then how many are there?" of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no details." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been face and glided from the room. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and inquire as to the address." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." child?' Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "But how did you gain them?" the one as in the other." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. The telegram which we eventually received came late one night case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, again." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey triumphant cloud from his cigarette. question. the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your tell him that I know him to be innocent." habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "Yesterday." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." bled considerably." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Yes, at the mines." Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. little adventures." "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Who by?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in a room. "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ forehead. "Never to return." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations and inquire as to the address." "I was mad--insane." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the general public were present, then?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not own family. "Certainly." impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way points in connection with it which never have been, and probably from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying later, upon the night of May 2nd." peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous pound a week." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an without a word or a look. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "On the contrary, this is the right side." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was once more to my work. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the will be renamed. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while which are rolled in Rotterdam." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the was shining brightly. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am trying to your nerves." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "Not him." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what jewels which you have stolen?' he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little the morning and make my own way in the world.' from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and suddenly upon us." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again miles off. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter lost his Christmas dinner." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it himself. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage woman who has had her own way to make in the world. while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "You horrify me." is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in hour?' sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for horse could go." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the anything to do with the matter?" silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector Munro.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She His name is Francis Prosper." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr.