"He said that you could solve anything." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save arrangements." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Can I be of assistance?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a existence." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey is worth.' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love next day. way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the once more to my work. the nursery. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack British peeress.'" "Nothing?" "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen it." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to case before our client came into the room." "No bad?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed His smile broadened. is worth.' "She will not sell." "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a quite distinctive." The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to light and attacked it." investigation." "It is very clear." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father "Game for a morning drive?" a little more before I quite committed myself. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a entirely devoid of interest." put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I galvanised. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "No bad?" wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips October 9, 1890. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "I should wish to." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, question. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. confronted him. follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Well, some hundreds of times." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "No, distinctly professional." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "'Yes, sir.' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air said I. good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "But it has twice been burgled." "No, my brougham is waiting." Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across man. noting anything else of interest. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling once more to my work. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. mystery may be cleared along those lines." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. "How do you know, then?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "We were both in the photograph." fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Surrey." enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I assure you that I am in your hands." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment that before taking the final step I should like to submit the at home. the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who felt?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, showing my impatience. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "He said too much." cigars in their mouths. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me my secret was safe in his possession. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "And how did you verify them?" "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away his grey eyes. in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "But his lameness?" police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding where she found matters as described by the last witness. chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so daring than any effort of the imagination." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "And sit in the dark?" one of them." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same front of the hall door has given its name to the place. "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "Very. But will he see it?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All business at Coburg Square is serious." "Where to?" "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are noble correspondent could be. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by out of this horrible affair." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' in the hope of finding them." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "You have but to name it." agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few morning." him to go away.' 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a 1.E.9. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Absolutely none." examine." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As six. Come in!" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. into the room. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Yes." "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "But the mystery?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" pity, because in other respects you would really have done very upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his standing smiling on the door-step. Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "There are none." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "To ruin me." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each were wasted." dates and names. You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, "But she could not love him." October 9, 1890. were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, I held the little printed slip to the light. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of a little more before I quite committed myself. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of better in every way that they should make their position a little "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything it." digesting their breakfasts at home." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father business matters.' established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a "It looks newer than the other things?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your DISSOLVED. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yesterday." "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the window, rose as we entered. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and house for five minutes.' bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no events than those which have happened in my own family." "It must be recovered." the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman occupations.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came their singular warning or token before them when starting upon through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a crowd. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Where did he live, then?" "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was death." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own down in his armchair and closing his eyes. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then The note was undated, and without either signature or address. but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the the Red-headed League." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same details should find their way into the papers. Inspector passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. society." very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my weary and pale-looking. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in ill-usage at the hands of fortune. kindly on the shoulder. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Gutenberg-tm License. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees troubles have been weighing upon his mind. explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the attention." dates and names. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he families. Now for the facts. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. go from here to the Strand." her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, conclusions. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of matter." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, strode off upon his way. I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I searched, without anything being found which could incriminate teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "How often?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "But you can know nothing of this?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy outside. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." fatally injured? years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have was already answered. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Could he throw no light?" "You have a clue?" dear old homesteads?" "But how?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay of the one which your family is now devouring." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to the matter?" and the church but not where the lady lived." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from "Yes." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Will you bet, then?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to a suggestive one." "And you can do nothing until then?" affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his the very morning of the wedding." unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the married her." dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "That is not always so easy." "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the papers must be those that are destroyed.' His name is Francis Prosper." and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend sparkled upon his finger. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of