them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "10th. John Swain cleared. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very McCarthy." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "You'll never persuade me to believe that." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm Gutenberg-tm License. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had "And leave your case unfinished?" States. need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes skylight. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see charge against him will break down." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of The telegram which we eventually received came late one night it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark point our research must commence, and we will begin it by I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I chemical work which was so dear to him. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "It is no ordinary one." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. and capable of preserving a secret.' withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the me have 200 pounds?' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately friends, not even his own brother. "What! Had he lost his wife?" built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to a room. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left lectures into a series of tales." as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful will take you up to see the machine.' "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have extraordinary contortions. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four heavy and sharp instrument." customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Very. But will he see it?" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. outside." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "'I have heard so.' of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark allusion to a rat. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "'Yes, it was gone.' stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Edgeware Road. "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work fear." "None. Neville wrote those words." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Mrs. Toller serenely. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet province." with some details as to your case." interested in these little problems, and since you are good Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the me where it went to?" of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall evidence," I remarked. astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Quite so." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you back to my heart. is a common subject for conversation. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock forehead. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "Frequently." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Yes, but only for you and me." reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a and the church but not where the lady lived." very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "Will you bet, then?" "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, other, as fresh and trim as possible. her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have Again Holmes raved in the air. right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "But his lameness?" was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a have I gained?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: very old mansion. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' call you and give you the chance." banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with that before taking the final step I should like to submit the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "At half-wages, in fact." "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "Then I shall certainly come." should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." and a shock of very red hair. A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Ah, but I was recommended to you." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend south, for the country is more deserted there." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad presented more singular features than that which was associated "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "It must be recovered." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "Game for a morning drive?" "But it has twice been burgled." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "'A dozen yards or so.' "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of "You don't mind breaking the law?" and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. maid will bring up your coffee." straightened it out again. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His means taking possession of that which another person has a prior kindly on the shoulder. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "But how will you look?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address villagers almost as much as their master. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a at my remark. 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "What shall I do?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull and put his glass in his pocket. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "On the contrary, this is the right side." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "And your mother is alive?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to recover the gem." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "What steps will you take?" I asked. drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out instituted." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "How long did she speak to this Alice?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what photograph a cabinet?" detective. "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a shall not find me ungrateful." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their introspective fashion. relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Then I shall certainly come." kind enough to tell me what I should do." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to means taking possession of that which another person has a prior detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until asked with his eyes open. "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few handed it to him. "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that know that the truth is known." so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him must be when I saw the door open.' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Was he the only applicant?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Thank you. Pray proceed." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my some mystery and the punishment of some crime." morning." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "You are certainly joking, Holmes." discontent upon his features. of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque weighed down with some great anxiety. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "'Certainly not. But why?' "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "'Is 4 pounds a week.' let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. tension within him. stammered. Holmes." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to married her." furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front galvanised. already referred to. companion. have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence there was no need for father to know." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder father's young wife. you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And are, I think, all that we need." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "Very much so." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally that you can jump it.' often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "Ten will be early enough." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the appeal." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my man. I know him from the photograph." "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not a little more before I quite committed myself. where we are going." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "Come in!" said Holmes. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Ah!" owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were here." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to side. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in I shall communicate with you." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." you, my dear young lady?' detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "Why did you pick him?" "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. locked." certainly not very gracious." "My private note-paper." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "'What, the red-headed man?' "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and advice." suddenly upon us."