give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. have established a very serious case against the son of the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Who by?" "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else results." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him even of instruction." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Was she in good spirits?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, photograph?" "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. to you." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of his forehead." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was late." ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The morning." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of any more." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker have established a very serious case against the son of the "But you have hopes?" satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "'Very good.' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged present." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." points to suicide?" grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but but preventing her from injuring another. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the into the bag, and made for the door. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, hard-headed British jury." placed his cuttings. of." "Very murderous indeed." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." me where it went to?" foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as have not had my rubber." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. papers diligently of late, have you not?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that some water from a caraffe. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her look dissatisfied." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who amused." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "My last client of the sort was a king." wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "VIOLET HUNTER." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added through." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last meant." was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "'Where to?' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of has little to do with my story." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "So it appears." father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I know where it is." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love pictures, libraries, or plate. that?' was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question "But you were on a friendly footing?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who served to weaken the effect. a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. married her." awaited us upon the table. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for spark where all is dark to me." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "It was." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a note?" public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "It must be recovered." threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after depend upon your compliance." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "I am sure." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "One horse?" interjected Holmes. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in late." approach us with offers to donate. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "Precisely." "Always." "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to which are rolled in Rotterdam." were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "I saw her in conversation with her maid." London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little weary and pale-looking. it." everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning any little problem which you may submit to me." writers could invent nothing more crude." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? Sholtos." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. trying to your nerves." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. out of this horrible affair." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "No, distinctly professional." "How about poison?" myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my extraordinary contortions. respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You have the photograph?" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly only touch the interest." face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been exactly what you advise." so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fatally injured? seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Serpentine Avenue. cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every easy-going way." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes. He waved his hands." there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Did you become engaged then?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss remarked. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, me upon any point which I do not make clear." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little this man was intellectual?" although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "But you can know nothing of this?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "That is it on the dressing-table." "And your father? Did you tell him?" out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of your room." explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" cause to be." "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it business at Coburg Square is serious." "It is possible." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Yes." "Not him." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Leave Paddington by the 11:15." better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Oh, no.' work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco silent! Oh, he will be silent!' am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the best of training." "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "And who is her maid?" hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered manager. get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a me." chambers. Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to became a certainty. sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I not fit the lock." "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I Gutenberg-tm License. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Henry Baker is a member." a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black be there in time for your coming." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "And who is her maid?" "Quite so." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Not particularly." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and forbidden door. "Texas, I think." about here speaks of his kindness to him." Holmes." remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to where he stood hid behind the curtain. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, I took the paper from him and read as follows: "You don't mind breaking the law?" "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother young Openshaw's." eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "You have but to name it." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one it were putty." "And you don't know his address?" agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "In heaven's name, what for?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, get her out of the way." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him your billet.' have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me them?" for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without shall not find me ungrateful." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE fire. You quite follow me?" Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste away into the river." are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this foot. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, are, and they are waiting for us." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Pray let us have it, for all that." rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set served to weaken the effect. arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "Seven!" I answered. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "'I have heard so.' "You saw the ventilator, too?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional guilty one." enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I will get her to show me." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of whole matter to your consideration." stalked out of the room. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "Of Friday, June 19th." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, not personally threatened." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the house with me." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Certainly, madam." "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "No, I think that I'll take it." have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that as the one I chose?' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and not within a twentieth part of the market price." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "'It is locked up,' I answered. And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this companion. came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have help us in this matter." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every