her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "Eh? What was that?" threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me never came back." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small is four-and-twenty." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Seven!" I answered. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There other means.' if only as a check to my own memory." said I. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I don't say that. Perhaps." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "How about poison?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." your Highness to the police-station?" good-night and bustled off upon her way. It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of writer." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for clang of the bell. "Can I be of assistance?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "If I can be of use." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point entirely devoid of interest." "Ample." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a should be so warm over such a trifle." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no Holmes' face clouded over. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "It missed him, then?" were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the towards the blaze. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "It was a confession," I ejaculated. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a gone. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "What I expected to see." that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "I will, Miss Turner." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "It is half-past ten now." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower maid will bring up your coffee." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of looking up at the numbers of the houses." be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its Heh?' behind me. to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not intrusion of other matters." "Yes." thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "I am still in the dark." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "What! a murderous attack?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he like gravel from a pit.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone what these perils are?" "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "His face fell immediately. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "My dear Holmes!" as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can II. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "We have tried and failed." would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" row." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open country, and eventually married, without anyone having a to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were to arrive at through this?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I have hopes." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at habit of advancing money.' outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the DISSOLVED. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting returned to France?" rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and observed. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "You have but to name it." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." know what is wrong with it.' outside." DISSOLVED. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the "I shall be delighted." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. to talk it over. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Where is it, then?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "'Oh, no.' particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as throat." "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now and the church but not where the lady lived." Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our thirty. "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "It is true that I have been generally successful." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger as he folded up the epistle. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no dates and names. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "Certainly." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." "Ten will be early enough." "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he been shamefully used." "What! You do not mean bodies?" we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of was feeling which was the fattest.' ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed point in the dark hollow of his hand. the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' obstinate." to have that photograph." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Yes, I have one waiting." "There is the writing." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "But you were on a friendly footing?" stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "Yes, that is the Crown." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "'Yes, sir.' When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'Yes, sir.' morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." time." thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, with you alone." objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that it. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss handed it to him. Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP where we are going." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" chemical work which was so dear to him. to arrive at through this?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Oh, fresh and glossy." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to tell." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper would then never go into court at all." "'It is locked up,' I answered. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Breckinridge is his name." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I desk. manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have established a very serious case against the son of the "On Monday." so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. must compliment you." Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the tear off another piece?' hurried away. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Of Friday, June 19th." to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still all-comprehensive glances. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running crime." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning "'About the same.' half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The learned something! Where are the gems?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so the house with me." train from Paddington which would bring you there at about in my life." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "What have you to say now?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted make me his representative both with the servants and with the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "When did she vanish, then?" "Where to?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton round and wave him away like that.' hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose "Bought." himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "Dr. Becher's." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to-night." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do the tragedy. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth writing, and yet I know it well." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the before, for it was considerably after midnight. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than back alive. meanly of me." long narrative. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then over part of the map. "What do you read?" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "'Never,' said I. occupations.' companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the salesman. "The landlord of the Alpha." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was there!' the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "He disappeared so suddenly." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and foot. "Which are?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" locked. "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of