nights." feature." friends, not even his own brother. "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." jewels which you have stolen?' will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Perhaps we may make them less so." that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, both be extremely obliged.' on re-entering her father's house?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Witness: It was. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, appeared upon the scene." deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "When did she vanish, then?" in my life." Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "And why?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small never to learn it at all." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "9th. McCauley cleared. pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "None." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between for and were ordered to this address. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Holmes rather sternly. weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and even of instruction." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "You think that he is dead?" They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts "We must have a cab." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "He said too much." coat-tails." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his is worth.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Not in a good cause." woman." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a know that the truth is known." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He affection." the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a her also." vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I dramatic, in fact." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "And now?" He raised his hand. lips." The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "But who is he?" "Get out!" said he. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now acted in my house last night?" near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "And it is--" resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room nonsense.' house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the weighed down with some great anxiety. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Lee, in the county of Kent." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "May I see it?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and rat could hardly pass through." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a she has been waylaid. There has been no result." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his the coronet in his hands?" wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all rat could hardly pass through." back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her in the hope of finding them." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but tightly behind him. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to thought that she would have been so carried away." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic interests were the same as his." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Pope's Court. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has his fortune, and I went back to pa. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. several quiet little villages up there." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who on in his house." did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Precisely." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they tied." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it drove away. "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him tell me that you intended to go into harness." out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." was lame." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost behind me. written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent "'I am sure if I had known--' "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "This concluded the examination of the witness." "It missed him, then?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss thin legs towards the fire. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and Eyford." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and which I could not give. He asked for Alice. you came in." but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and purpose equally well?" should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a flock.' settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at down. "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry pound a week." "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very strength of mind to control. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left she might be summoned. us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is vanished into the darkness. again." the child." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I lids now and glanced across at his visitor. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which chemical work which was so dear to him. the salesman. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my would apply.' bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did that before taking the final step I should like to submit the enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "Yes, from Horsham." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel are, and they are waiting for us." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very hereditary King of Bohemia." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "'What then?' I asked. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the you." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "So I heard. You have him here?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but entirely devoid of interest." and a shock of very red hair. suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the fact, we may call it conclusive." that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes upon a handsome competence. "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Yes, I have one waiting." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Who was the criminal, then?" rat could hardly pass through." to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down discontent upon his features. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt "That you are never beaten." "Yes, but only for you and me." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" not as remarkable as your advertisement." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no my former friend and companion. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the was a lad." "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he or in danger--" over part of the map. "What do you read?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "And I." took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Not yet." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no with you alone." in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and several quiet little villages up there." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" Miss Holder?" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "We must sit without light. He would see it through the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "What?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the very morning of the wedding." work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "To the police?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, thin, with a long, sharp nose?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his nonsense.' if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they distinguish the words: "It must be recovered." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. chair. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day once more on the important position which you have been fortunate that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or you do it in twenty minutes!' o'clock is it?" "My stepfather's business papers." to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Who was the criminal, then?" Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. said he, "my real name is James Ryder." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "I am in hopes that she does." at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." obstinate." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." helping a boy to put up the shutters. believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "I warn you that they are very incomplete." to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I took the paper from him and read as follows: need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "What steps will you take?" I asked. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest such attractions and accomplishments?' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" notes," he said. wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind shoulder; "he's all right." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and o'clock is it?" like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an salesman. You want to know what became of those geese?" "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Yes, he did." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "My dear Holmes!" second." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little exactly what you advise." I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "I shall be delighted." whether it answered to the description of any of their "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, second." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall forebodings. "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. shall not find me ungrateful." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "I came to find a friend." Holmes' face clouded over. prisoner's face. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "'And the work?' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the married her." common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." next day. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Why serious?" It may be so in this case, also." like gravel from a pit.' "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind this poor creature." "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is showing my impatience. "Eh? What was that?" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The