honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "Ha! you find it so?" enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The behind me. contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom to tackle the facts." it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his rose-bushes. do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations "Deserted you?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country than was visible to me." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are in a very precise fashion." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "Then you may be so with me." returned to France?" however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "I don't believe it." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a help us in this matter." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this suspect him." "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in you do it in twenty minutes!' happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want too. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" disturbance in my wife." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "'Which dealer's?' the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from Heh?' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "It is possible." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal to take care of herself." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Holmes, the busybody!" drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." quick march!" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the warnings." his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. fattened it expressly for you.' straightened it out again. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "He said too much." justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very indiscretion." it." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It the address that was given us in the advertisement. "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he if only as a check to my own memory." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her of this gang." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door closing the door. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project thirty. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as have got?" The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "It must be recovered." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a was a loud and authoritative tap. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." up this clue while it is still hot." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Where does the thing come from?' been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my the address that was given us in the advertisement. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes conclusions. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A one of the states of the Union." is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Then I do not see the point." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the the very letters. But what is this written above them?' tightly behind him. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing to that open window." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather do." absorbing." with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place made him keep the appointment." the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Has he come with you to-night?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight into the bag, and made for the door. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. the roots. electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the do you make of it all?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been front of me. standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he awkward doing business with an alias." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and "'There is a drive, then?' taking in every detail of the apartment. "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "Where, then?" 'please.'" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was should be taken.' Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "Not social, then?" opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' my secret was safe in his possession. past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two "'As governess?' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia better grown goose." wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" acted in my house last night?" fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time out." dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Nothing?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the shoulder. years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the outside." Edgeware Road. mysterious end." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Then I am your man." "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to next day. we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers "Perhaps I have." distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his "And on what day did he meet his death?" spark where all is dark to me." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "It goes to the housekeeper's room." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our his forehead." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. politicians who had been sent down from the North. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I back into the street. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small in this way: sparkled upon his finger. this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very tied." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "But his lameness?" "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." daring than any effort of the imagination." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your little trying to do so much typewriting?" As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded little trying to do so much typewriting?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "What then?" Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "I cannot tell." the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It is possible." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local know all about it," he snarled. engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is "Yes." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "'What do you call purely nominal?' along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me would then never go into court at all." "And Irene Adler?" "'And what salary do you ask?' right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "Always." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been posted to-day." Eyford." was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and again." Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite at once, for I have only half an hour." "And is that all?" forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Yes, sir." saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "What then?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. which was all perfectly true. rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A absorbing." cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "To the police?" "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You are certainly joking, Holmes." which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help long narrative. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered it." He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my for securing the situation." that you can jump it.' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "You have a clue?" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "He slept on the premises." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. Sholtos." 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "What are they?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out a good hundred miles off by now." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "ARAT," I read. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the photograph?" such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I wanted for ourselves." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord "That also I could fathom." My friend smiled. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of the date of his supposed suicide." papers." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the already referred to. it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had friend's singular character. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "That you are never beaten." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and mysterious end." "The doctor?" "And it is--" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "No legal papers or certificates?" he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which dates and names. agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of kindly on the shoulder. the salesman.