the iron safe, which he closed upon it. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "But you can know nothing of this?" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had at my remark. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who whatever might befall. case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both was used.' companion. keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "And how did you find out?" he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had been shamefully used." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "One of his hands." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. believe that I should never have any practice at all. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is way: which I could not give. He asked for Alice. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in never will be, entirely cleared up. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as unclasping of his long thin hands. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so him, that man would not have given me such complete information stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with companion imperturbably. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Certainly not. But why?' "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Was she in good spirits?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir drawing your inferences." "'Entirely.' were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never in my life." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, noting anything else of interest. platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "How did that help you?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my lamp. "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Of what?" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very instituted." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler lids now and glanced across at his visitor. though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "That also I could fathom." "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "I cannot think." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing papers on the sundial.'" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to "Yes." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Very. But will he see it?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is me where it went to?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "And you don't know his address?" way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Nothing." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. morning." it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon "Whose house is it?" dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late name is different." horse could go." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my best detective that ever lived. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come "'Tell me all about it,' said I. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend case-book, which he consulted. writers could invent nothing more crude." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me been able to understand it, in a very few words. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the face and glided from the room. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire chill to my heart. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the redistribution. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it as this. Pray let me have the details." himself to tell his story. telegram would bring me down to your help." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project until night should bring an explanation. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he some water from a caraffe. And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and a shock of very red hair. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "'What are you doing there?' he asked. house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by the dangers which encompass me." feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the I am not easy in my mind about them." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." think, you have already met." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and guilty parties." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "So I have heard." "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, his fortune, and I went back to pa. "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to surprise her." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then young Openshaw's." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery walking." been deceived." slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Perhaps I have." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my Pool. swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see writer." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'Not at all. I only doubt--' person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Your French gold?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The photograph?" astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "But your client--" "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains where we are going." long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my writers could invent nothing more crude." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "The King of Scandinavia." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he which I could not give. He asked for Alice. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "Just look it up, then." takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his spark where all is dark to me." "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire our word." 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of "'In my own bureau.' "To ruin me." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" me have 200 pounds?' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Here?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your charge against him will break down." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that ashen face. "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action mysterious business." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a reach." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my leaning back in his chair. "Come in!" said Holmes. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the was feeling which was the fattest.' at home. hopeless attempt at recovering them." he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I shall be delighted." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his DAMAGE. "10th. John Swain cleared. and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "So I am. Very much so." "I shall be delighted." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "ARAT," I read. puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Dirty?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Did he not advertise?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "One horse?" interjected Holmes. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "And is that all?" focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know DISSOLVED. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that miles off. hair?' all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." chemical work which was so dear to him. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting spare." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity to me. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Was there a secret marriage?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the points to suicide?" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. presented which may be striking and bizarre without being trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people during that time.' stalked out of the room. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "Really! You surprise me." kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "My dear Holmes!" Mrs. Toller serenely. would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any suddenly upon us." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And what did you see?" or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the address that was given us in the advertisement. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It's nothing of the kind." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it British peeress.'" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he became a certainty. should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the presented more singular features than that which was associated stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the bears upon the case?" *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the the King without delay." second." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He photograph a cabinet?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "On Monday." "You will not go there first?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as what do you think they found in the pockets?" a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous,