ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally man. I know him from the photograph." "Then the page we have seen--" get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has door?" there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad "It missed him, then?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an I nodded again. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and at my remark. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "'About the same.' again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and constraint." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "But you have hopes?" "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "And why in hopes?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Henry Baker is a member." "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my than to us. to have been novel and of interest." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had conduct the inquiry." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. conversation I have gathered that they have been married about weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people "A thing like a cleaver," said he. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had Countess of Morcar's?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's gone before you can get him to hospital." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, chance at all." "I cannot tell." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Holmes' face clouded over. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net held up the lantern and gazed about him. "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, knowledge of the world." presented more singular features than that which was associated while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "Where did you address your letters, then?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works been." felt the room to be a little close.' "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "That is also quite modern," said the lady. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "But your client--" first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was highly," said Holmes. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" any more." been shamefully used." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up the station." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Very murderous indeed." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Breckinridge is his name." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "'And the work?' a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that round and wave him away like that.' He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "And it is--" "It is half-past ten now." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "Not I." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out our word." foresight and the moral retrogression?" side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the and I shall be with you presently." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "Have you her photograph?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may in the hope of finding them." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, looking up at the numbers of the houses." be best to do. every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so gentleman's clothes. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were gbnewby@pglaf.org to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room experiences." his grey eyes. years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "A call for help, you thought?" "She told me to ask you." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their him and tried to hold him back. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another off." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Yes?" sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the wedding?" want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment galvanised. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the window, rose as we entered. delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "'Certainly not. But why?' husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "By no means." gentleman's clothes. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case ashen face. former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that considering the formidable letters which were received by himself accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I the side-table." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him in the hope of finding them." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "It is very kind of you." may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should security.' to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall some terrible trap for her." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Then, how do you know?" when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it roused himself from his reverie. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an second." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without bonnet, and went out." him to be an active member of the medical profession." "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you lost his Christmas dinner." January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do "Then how many are there?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms "I know where it is." a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." hair?' tell me that you intended to go into harness." sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the six. Come in!" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I tied." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" to a light-house. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to "Yes, sir." advice." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "Of Friday, June 19th." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he companion. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in intrusion of other matters." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. his wife has ceased to love him." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Was there a secret marriage?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and felt?" 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an bill, which interests me deeply." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his I have it here in my museum." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating that you saw all that I did." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the cost them two and thirty pounds." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I as the one I chose?' the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit wanted for ourselves." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father be sorry for having acted so harshly." "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, "Of what?" emerged. enter Dr. Roylott's room." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "Do you go out much in society?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates instituted." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "And leave your case unfinished?" fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of this truth that in these little records of our cases which you stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to bell. Holmes whistled. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "And I say east," said my patient. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." delirious. it." better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass any." make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my may have an influence upon European history." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present the room while you explain this matter?" here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "9th. McCauley cleared. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It must be recovered." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "I was afraid that you were engaged." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "But how?" business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I say that I have solved it." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the morning." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. nonsense.' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which over part of the map. "What do you read?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your good for you to do.' her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." think that any burglar could have done. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and the whole place is in a blaze." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; occurred." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," soul! here is her carriage at the door." creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered drawing your inferences." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his visitors." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I married her." reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him himself to tell his story. abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have to take care of herself." "What of the rat, then?" Holmes rather sternly. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "She showed me, as I told you she would." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the running down." "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Pope's Court. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic What do you deduce from it?" never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "But what will you do?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were Gutenberg-tm License. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" be sorry for having acted so harshly." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "'Certainly not. But why?' "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "So it appears." I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor and the colonel ushered me in. married her." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in Have you good authority for what you say?" serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the the room while you explain this matter?" himself in a perplexing position. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of problems help me to do so." my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "I am all attention, madam." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the closing the door. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself families. Now for the facts. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he