"Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. will be renamed. "Stolen." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the again, where I was soon asleep. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every been anything against him. He had for years been known as a Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in writer." village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low tail." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I I shall continue with my miserable story. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Here?" which are rolled in Rotterdam." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. II. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. stepfather?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "No, I had a dozen." skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That next day. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life know that the truth is known." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both south, for the country is more deserted there." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "But we can't all be." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," be sorry for having acted so harshly." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" already referred to. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Holmes' thin, eager face. like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon "Not I." hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and of receipt of the work. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "And I." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "You think so, too?" Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, away to you." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to indeed happy." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" "'Yes.' may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." "Where, indeed?" "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project late." filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But confronted him. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to posted to-day." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his face and glided from the room. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. affair. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We fire. You quite follow me?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after of the vacancies.' now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a what is your own theory as to what took place?" much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "'No, I know no one in these parts.' see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all the address that was given us in the advertisement. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the acted in my house last night?" 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional are windows in it, of course?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch business matters.' window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "Yes, they were peculiar boots." sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the eat it." twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door vault. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, DISSOLVED. "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would that?' directors have had misgivings upon the subject." "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Edgeware Road. to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' papers." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." wanted for ourselves." younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it crackling voice. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "No." and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his matters immensely." Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "In what way?" asked Holmes. broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," just called myself is not exactly my own." "Nearly eleven." forebodings. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "It is solved." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the case-book, which he consulted. and laid it on the table. own family. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" with frightened eyes at his accuser. article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." of a light. pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be of the way of danger. sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "'Certainly not.' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has heavily into it. "Frequently." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project beyond words. "What is it?" detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so friend's singular character. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "'Very good.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I in a friendly supper." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat corner of the building. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not which our visitor detailed to us. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young the Red-headed League." "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained been." police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand absorbing." hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man quick march!" arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable introspective fashion. "Do you know him?" the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Did you become engaged then?" a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Ah!" morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Nothing?" with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Did you observe the colour?" say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait chance." process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a the house with me." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. have not had my rubber." determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" very old mansion. deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had tear off another piece?' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "'As governess?' the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted derbies." "Why, what do you mean?" "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, see a sister of mine apply for." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "The gentleman I describe." photograph a cabinet?" remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of along the entire front of the house, with three long windows ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its detective. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since humiliation." known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that assist you in forming an opinion." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of been shamefully used." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and mystery!" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Mrs. Toller serenely. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "It's nothing of the kind." "'Certainly,' I answered. you understand?" heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see it." "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The secret." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window problems help me to do so." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really Eyford at 11:15.' a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "No." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "My own seal." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House singular points about the case. What did the police think of the and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were against a man in the prime of life?" How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "In the cells." he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed ashen face. the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third it." bachelor.' and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said it." of a light. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced outside. morning." "'Yes, it was gone.' "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up morning." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Lestrade of Scotland Yard." the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "And for present expenses?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic certainly do as you advise." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I arms and began to sob in a high treble key. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Yes, there are nearly always some there." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to this remarkable episode. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I second." voice, changing her seat as requested. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "Then he might have called to you?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and