who was a member of your goose club." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, and laid it on the table. widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and your room." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of easy-going way." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as because she had spent so short a time in this country that she gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was appeal." much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my ventilator." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'A dozen yards or so.' matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his "That is possible." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic said I. The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a very old mansion. on in his house." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while happened." thirty. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "That is possible." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Cross for the Continent." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing waste of energy." towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "'Is purely nominal.' whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." at my remark. ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Witness: Nothing definite. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At call you and give you the chance." may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this call for it in person on Monday morning.' upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "And it is--" them?" rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in miles off. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow to go into your room and bar your shutters?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us to affect your life." "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "You think that he is dead?" see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." society." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an girl said." "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: ways including including checks, online payments and credit card sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. "And now?" He raised his hand. any little problem which you may submit to me." town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." absorbing." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he that I am arrested." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Perfectly so." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'What do you call purely nominal?' "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' lamp in his hand. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the pierced for earrings?" to a light-house. even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Your French gold?" "Bought." out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "Your French gold?" "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, it." through." bird I ate is country bred." lost nothing by them." rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you noble correspondent could be. but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him asked. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "The rest you will leave in our hands." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, to-night." face and glided from the room. Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." note?" head. So long, then!" despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had too. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't "And Irene Adler?" About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and Holmes' thin, eager face. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very begin with, and I had not got mine yet." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is if only as a check to my own memory." my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the strode off upon his way. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the floor. apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Certainly." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 felt?" hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It was." "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little crackling voice. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." have not had my rubber." "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; strong reason behind." and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the Farm upon the left." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us forehead. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Again Holmes raved in the air. slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "I think that I had better go, Holmes." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing unprecedented a position." tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "It missed him, then?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, looking up at the numbers of the houses." away in different directions, and I went off to make my own specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way astonishment. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" some place of shelter and let the county police know what has still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The it." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. place of silver." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed depend upon my doing so.' As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion a very grave face. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin use an arc-and-compass breastpin." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "By train from Waterloo." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our look upon these things in a different way." the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon to take care of herself." increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be charged with?" "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "Yes, it would be as well." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "About a month then." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left before the coroner and the police-court." on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more http://gutenberg.net/license). colonel looking down at me. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "'What are you doing there?' he asked. "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the imbecility!" he cried. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His to me. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Miss Holder?" "Will you bet, then?" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion putting in the horse. the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Yes, sir.' the coroner come to?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "What office?" my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have is," said he presently: and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I to-night?" I asked. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a again, where I was soon asleep. "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "What is it?" my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But respectable self." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was comes from the middle window." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from families. Now for the facts. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as handed it to him. very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place sound at heart." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Were they all fastened this morning?" dear old homesteads?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you ill-usage at the hands of fortune. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon and have this put in the evening papers." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried of campaign. him!" the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the was a loud and authoritative tap. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year neither fascinating nor artistic." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE footfalls from the street. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch walking." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage are, I think, all that we need." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is status with the IRS. are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this guilty one." answered with a sidelong glance. "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I sparkled upon his finger. case before our client came into the room." me.