"I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little the stones. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in on in his house." were unconscious?" subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in it with his own hands." "BALLARAT." certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** without a word or a look. ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss again before evening." "An accident, I presume?" "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at "Two days later this same performance was gone through under end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "The vanishing of the lady." photograph?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "And Irene Adler?" parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have "When did she vanish, then?" congenial hunt. of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an whatever might befall. room had already been engaged for us. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. charge against him will break down." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "One of his hands." editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent speckled band?" whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light will take you up to see the machine.' I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left lamp. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "I shall be delighted." in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted that he has suffered." running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "His face fell immediately. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small asked. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "That sounds a little paradoxical." having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I cannot think." What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Nothing?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, happened." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at several quiet little villages up there." had a long day." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those walking." blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "'Ample.' although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is three fields round his house, and there he would take his noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. 'please.'" It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was have got?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of his eyes and forehead. "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." to-night's adventure." note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, paper in the air. "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight in a very precise fashion." your bag." "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind shoulder. vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. washing it down with a long draught of water. or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew "'Most admirably.' again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of a little more before I quite committed myself. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. Sutherland. to talk it over. if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the which we had just quitted. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but tension within him. "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time recall any case within my experience which looked at the first unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a rat could hardly pass through." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, even so self-evident a thing as that." Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give father's place of business?" Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." absorbing." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "I answered that I had not. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last sneer upon his pale face. entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "No, but the enclosure is." been with you?" hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to copied or distributed: London for the present?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "But you have hopes?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Nearly eleven." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "When did it break out?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I see no marks." "'Where could I find him?' providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "Witness: I must still refuse. "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "What do you mean?" "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole good for you to do.' never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds the coronet at all injured?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Oh, the cause is excellent!" visitors." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. papers on the sundial.'" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and of fine shops and stately business premises that they really week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they giving me time to thank him. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "My own seal." are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg the bed, and you in that chair." didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't one which it was hard to resist. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence more solid." Cross for the Continent." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. shag which I had seen upon the previous night. "And did you observe any change in her then?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "This concluded the examination of the witness." village inn over there?" He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "Oh, fresh and glossy." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Of Friday, June 19th." often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time fact, we may call it conclusive." "Why? What do you mean?" have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "'What, the red-headed man?' accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "It's nothing of the kind." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "But his lameness?" "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "The best possible." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural forbidden door. and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Absolutely none." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Not him." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be a very grave face. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a fat-encircled eyes. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind interest. They are important, you understand, without being developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS mysterious business." it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Where did you address your letters, then?" he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "A call for help, you thought?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ "And I to find an enemy." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Munro.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a pity, because in other respects you would really have done very the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I beg pardon." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Your presence might be invaluable." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I should wish to." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a annoyance, but no jest. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Yes, certainly." "Not in a good cause." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of were wasted." neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I works. presented more singular features than that which was associated watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg fuss that is made over them." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no wife's character?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "He is still with you, I presume?" years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into bird of prey. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When beyond words. crackling voice. the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the disappearance of these gems?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Yes, they were peculiar boots." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of the station." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back delighted to hear it," he said. work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "I would give my fortune to have them back." business." have an American origin." "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to could not account in any way for the presence of the missing hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and appointment with me for six o'clock?"