kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "The rest you will leave in our hands." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster yards of it?' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start comes from the middle window." as this. Pray let me have the details." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you British peeress.'" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "And why in hopes?" interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the simple cases which are so extremely difficult." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into happened." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "No, distinctly professional." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "And now?" He raised his hand. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to that open window." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I shall be delighted." plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that foot. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very success. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," as he remarks, very much against the son." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "A client, then?" Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "The Coroner: What do you mean? "It is a murder, then?" Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "None." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, nonsense.' streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am you found me to-night--and running through the front room she client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can investigation." basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner of." married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "She will not sell." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "The decline of his fortunes, then?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "Why serious?" might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my fact, we may call it conclusive." "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' a little more before I quite committed myself. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Very much so." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I sentimental considerations in the background which would induce finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, manager. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" must compliment you." to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the corner of the building. reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I the bed, and you in that chair." muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "Have you it here?" to miss it." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and it need not interfere very much with one's other her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "And what did you see?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set placed his cuttings. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "Whose house is it?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "It is solved." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which his huge brown hands. piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband past. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his for the market.' such attractions and accomplishments?' and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. of note-paper. It read in this fashion: every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "What do you make of that, Watson?" key of the affair now." "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle was a loud and authoritative tap. a very grave face. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too his face which made him a very different person to the round, Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, arrangements." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." points in connection with it which never have been, and probably I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Yes, there are nearly always some there." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in think that he is innocent?" seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very wife's character?" "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. nonsense.' very morning of my second wedding." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Very. But will he see it?" particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your this as likely?" air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when wanted for ourselves." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me the date of his supposed suicide." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our had no one to advise her at such a crisis." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I excitement. "I came to find a friend." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' late." in a very precise fashion." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. gives a meaning to it." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. salesman. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. this as likely?" occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." his fortune, and I went back to pa. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is comes from the middle window." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Yes." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A would then never go into court at all." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." definite end. "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the McCarthy." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would one of them." fluttered off among the others. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the your billet.' felt?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen cause to be." Farm upon the left." slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, intrusion of other matters." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I shall most certainly do so." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll them, and came down just as you departed. dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so lamp in his hand. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle already referred to. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. this remarkable episode. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, words came to my lips. attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place his wife has ceased to love him." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I woven round him. wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, taking in every detail of the apartment. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." "The Coroner: What do you mean? here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the strode off upon his way. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free populous neighbourhood." Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say my former friend and companion. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; chair. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "Not yet." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "I have a cab outside." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to putting in the horse. ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for writer." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of suggested at once that there must be a communication between the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view himself to tell his story. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. deduce something from that?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. about. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone ways of our fellow-men." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of is worth.' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed it? Did I buy the geese off you?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "You will not go there first?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand with her." sneer upon his pale face. tapping his fingers upon the table. letters?" "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement gone. perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my any." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any geese which you supplied to the Alpha." however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself presented which may be striking and bizarre without being meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "The murder was done with it." had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is and the colonel ushered me in. way: used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "About a month then." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes "Of what?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had