Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small October 9, 1890. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. directors, with the result that you have seen." "'I have heard so.' "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been feature." "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our where she found matters as described by the last witness. from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not was keenly on my guard against him. gone. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "How did that help you?" last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and asked. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "And the cigar-holder?" "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than it." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question examination of the premises, but without finding anything which There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker "My dear Holmes!" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not and shall probably return to London by the evening train." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, tell me that you intended to go into harness." conclusions. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was weary and pale-looking. for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but me, and I could not think that his explanation of the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. giving me time to thank him. this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I never have." Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of row." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very out." freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." call you and give you the chance." with you alone." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and forecastle of an emigrant ship. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "Not in a good cause." photograph a cabinet?" "And your father? Did you tell him?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my "'A dozen yards or so.' telegram would bring me down to your help." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, tell him that I know him to be innocent." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. trying to your nerves." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom quite distinctive." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I a suggestive one." head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began straightened it out again. "The King of Scandinavia." spare." Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that instituted." What do you deduce from it?" were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads with some details as to your case." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own examination of the premises, but without finding anything which fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look Where does the thing come from?' be. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Edgeware Road. the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than burst into a hearty fit of laughter. and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "'Then let me do so?' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "What then?" streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon depend upon your compliance." How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "But you were on a friendly footing?" INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "But she will refuse." "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him His smile broadened. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he it means?" A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "Was your sister dressed?" you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Now, then, what's the last entry?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes outside. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. and the church but not where the lady lived." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a affair. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which fluttered off among the others. more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'Not at all. I only doubt--' him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Then how many are there?" little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as throat." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a that, and I came down." who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "The gentleman I describe." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "'Never.' "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "You don't mind breaking the law?" of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "Where did you address your letters, then?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down depend upon your compliance." you understand?" "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. Holmes. manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "The decline of his fortunes, then?" "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It "Well?" office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "'I am sure that I do not know.' Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door business came to an end." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "Is Briony Lodge, Serpentine Avenue, St. John's Wood." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. ashen face. over with notes and figures. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the "Married! When?" "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name to take care of herself." they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some "Yes." anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate help us in this matter." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What then?" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold system of imprisonment?" "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite that before taking the final step I should like to submit the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "Thank you. And your address?" rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would the Assizes." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Yes." pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be six. Come in!" father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "At half-wages, in fact." unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning III. if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the at my remark. to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "I was afraid that you were engaged." weary and pale-looking. served to weaken the effect. squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a key of the affair now." "Your French gold?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I know where it is." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could child?' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of you do it in twenty minutes!' left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing case before our client came into the room." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new promised to bring home. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for society." detained." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. bird of prey. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new to talk it over. "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' lids now and glanced across at his visitor. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End me what he had done with the three missing stones. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "What steps will you take?" I asked. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "What! Had he lost his wife?" it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a fait accompli?" "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present depend upon your compliance." Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not the stable lane now." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Perfectly so." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell with her." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the unprecedented a position." leave you to your papers for a little." I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I remarked. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own soul! here is her carriage at the door." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is answered with a sidelong glance. the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would events than those which have happened in my own family." afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a important." mysterious end." "'I am sure that I do not know.' "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but followed. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I think that I had better go, Holmes." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I