chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had a room. "If so, much may have happened between." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my lamp. the King without delay." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. annoyance, but no jest. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the look upon these things in a different way." frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." "Eh? What was that?" rose-bushes. delirious. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "You did not overhear what they said?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about astonishment. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa becomes even more simple." "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. drawing your inferences." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted you." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the coronet in his hand?" Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "'In my own bureau.' we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. shall not find me ungrateful." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary not use it unless it is absolutely needed." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and Have you good authority for what you say?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and other means.' he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon paper in the air. the south-west, I see." lectures into a series of tales." breakfast." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he Miss Holder?" the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a conduct the inquiry." It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the What do you deduce from it?" ourselves in the office." round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists things are very often connected not with the larger but with the me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any your co-operation." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to been able to understand it, in a very few words. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and galvanised. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Witness: It was. narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I burst into a hearty fit of laughter. than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "At half-wages, in fact." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, your Highness to the police-station?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when had this final quarrel? ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your your only hope of safety." electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "I should be immensely obliged to you." computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Murdered?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked Farm upon the left." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot entirely lost his self-respect." room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "I saw her in conversation with her maid." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk fire. You quite follow me?" stalked out of the room. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the vanished into the darkness. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "It was an hour's good drive." recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria strength in the others." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, look dissatisfied." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "No." house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the a suggestive one." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my Holmes." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," test if we have an answer to our advertisement." direction." "So I am. Very much so." "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough may have an influence upon European history." again, where I was soon asleep. "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may towards the blaze. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you in one or two places in England?' guilty one." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. have been better. It is all right." head. So long, then!" interest. They are important, you understand, without being sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "But you were on a friendly footing?" rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" "I will get her to show me." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "Imitated." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe my special province." "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the clang of the bell. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "And why in hopes?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose awkward doing business with an alias." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat one else, I think." pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It happened." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I know where it is." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Nothing?" the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who evidence," I remarked. the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight it means?" one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and brandy and water within his reach. gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else your room." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his not fit the lock." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so any more." "'Never.' telegram would bring me down to your help." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no telegram would bring me down to your help." said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I forecastle of an emigrant ship. you do it in twenty minutes!' "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott lectures into a series of tales." "Always." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet window when the police appeared." tell him that I know him to be innocent." on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which house for five minutes.' St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn "Was the window open?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which subject to the trademark license, especially commercial once more to my work. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "He said that you could solve anything." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I neither fascinating nor artistic." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Clair, of Lee." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked bare slabs of marble. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "Do you know him?" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "Well, it is a possible supposition." and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. golden eyeglasses. asked with his eyes open. its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and the coroner come to?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that threaten you." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "We have tried and failed." me. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "I have solved it." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "Nothing?" wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with question," said Holmes, smiling. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "I guessed as much." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "Then I can wait in the next room." Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property most interesting one." place no limit on the sum I may draw." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "The landlord of the Alpha." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "That is also quite modern," said the lady. will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the armchair which I pushed forward for him. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. McCarthy." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the him to go away.' inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main be there in time for your coming." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at is four-and-twenty." appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. or in danger--" sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Nothing." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid whatever might befall. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one advice." see a sister of mine apply for." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I there has been an enclosure here!" "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water advice." dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had people in all walks of life. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "What is it?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind acquaintance?" "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah Count Von Kramm." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down washing it down with a long draught of water. daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he crackling voice. to Leatherhead. yet." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Yes." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since his fortune, and I went back to pa. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "What shall I do?" sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from