Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "I do." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Quite so." action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the morning." "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his think that he is innocent?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the beyond words. madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "But how did you gain them?" had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you of your young ladies.' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "It is no ordinary one." served to weaken the effect. already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The to-night?" I asked. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light happened." them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone brandy and water within his reach. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I least a most suspicious remark." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "In answer to an advertisement." engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips less than 26s. 4d. access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being out." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "If I can be of use." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "How did you deduce the select?" my room." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." his face. his face. "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during murdered man." bird of prey. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up for and were ordered to this address. "Where, then, is my wife?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "It's nothing of the kind." the Red-headed League." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up likely to be some crony of the landlady's." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre lost his Christmas dinner." standing smiling on the door-step. have been better. It is all right." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. present." tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and knowledge of the world." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were it. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her disappearance of these gems?" all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' himself in a perplexing position. of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over bachelor.' hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Sholtos." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over was used.' "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "Seven!" I answered. Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "She walked into the breakfast-room." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who you?' in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be seven miles from Eyford Station.' married her." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned you." "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "'Which dealer's?' he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced carpenter." the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the less than 26s. 4d. "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I and capable of preserving a secret.' This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before stood on the top of it. was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would "Quite so." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was despaired of." station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the "On the contrary, this is the right side." during that time.' shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. humiliation." glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Perhaps we may make them less so." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Where does the thing come from?' his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such him, that man would not have given me such complete information unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it prisoner's face. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised purpose equally well?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "And I say east," said my patient. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "So I have heard." direction." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned late." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." go from here to the Strand." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the ceiling. Sholtos." forehead. came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to of a light. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. way in everything. "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "I will do it." himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his help us in this matter." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the salesman. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down to-night?' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the date of his supposed suicide." "It was an hour's good drive." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black my special province." Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few in. sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were have I gained?" have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, he. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little prison!" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door me have 200 pounds?' Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "What then?" "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. rat could hardly pass through." as he remarks, very much against the son." stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which "How did you deduce the select?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to nothing of it?" Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, little adventures." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "This photograph!" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Pope's Court. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I am all attention, madam." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally you." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, bell. Holmes whistled. we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the coronet at all injured?" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "'What are you doing there?' he asked. cup of tea. found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "He might." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the answer." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I sufficient punishment." Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps asked with his eyes open. disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the enter into my head. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. I. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found carriage. It was a chestnut." It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room as he folded up the epistle. "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still went to the Alpha were town bred." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the 'I should be able to look after that for you.' but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "'Never,' said I. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from might help us?" across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "I was mad--insane." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that heavily into it. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for name is different." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so door?" "I will do it." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the companion imperturbably. observed. zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very forehead. He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the how narrow had been my escape. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey you for a few hours?" sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, presented more singular features than that which was associated highroad, where all traces were lost. II. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "I beg pardon." "And you can do nothing until then?" must compliment you." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is observed. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Do you receive much company?" he asked. of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had bedroom door." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered of your young ladies.' Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a photograph?" until night should bring an explanation. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I "My stepfather's business papers." noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for promised to bring home. "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature mystery may be cleared along those lines." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "Ample." "Precisely." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated unprecedented a position." "Oh, yes, easily." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he joking. cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock see a sister of mine apply for." providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it to where he stood hid behind the curtain. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven here." astonishment. send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a swore that no one else had been in the front room during the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part