"Pray tell us what has happened to you." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Where does the thing come from?' keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "No." reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, room. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a beyond words. I shall continue with my miserable story. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the the address that was given us in the advertisement. "Nothing?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly least a fellow-countryman. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On to have that photograph." "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your "Why did you pick him?" a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll of." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the key turn in the lock." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and looked back. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "No, my brougham is waiting." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith been shamefully used." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "Very murderous indeed." with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate Street. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. might help us?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "No, I had a dozen." to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the examine." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "No, I am descending." The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "'You doubt its value?' he asked. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social their singular warning or token before them when starting upon that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "'Yes, sir.' "My Mary? Impossible!" "Well." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "Yes, the wine-cellar." test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Mrs. Toller serenely. "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, From what you have told me I think that it is possible that course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Pray do so." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the presented more singular features than that which was associated heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "I cannot imagine." misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have that?' utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in instincts rose up against that laugh. face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name not come at once?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to that there was nothing in it, after all." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "And Miss Sutherland?" "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of should be so warm over such a trifle." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "The rest you will leave in our hands." "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. until night should bring an explanation. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. clanging. them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with have an American origin." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible made his money." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between opportunities to fix the problem. "Upon what point?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and you in your example." "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about handed it to him. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Stoke Moran." may never be exposed to such a temptation." "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this read over the extraordinary announcement. I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child of them has the shutters up.' assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and put his glass in his pocket. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." to change my dress. providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City ran thus: unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but weigh very heavily upon my conscience." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly the running down." managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that you, my dear young lady?' "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can tied." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. was a perfect sample of the class. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "But you have hopes?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in taking in every detail of the apartment. whereabouts. been able to understand it, in a very few words. "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Arthur Conan Doyle "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to coroner's jury." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "'You cannot say what it was?' they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which bill, which interests me deeply." "You think that he is dead?" meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "My own seal." "A greater distance to travel." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Then you may entirely rely on me." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed "'Never,' said I. revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found tension within him. murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker II. we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a nothing of it?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from this poor creature." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "I am all attention, madam." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "I cannot imagine." "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very rooms." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the whether it answered to the description of any of their the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Do you know him?" wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Perhaps I have." It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that before taking the final step I should like to submit the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "You saw the ventilator, too?" an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the armchair which I pushed forward for him. galvanised. "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I will find little credit to be gained out of this case." here." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a disappearance of the bride.'" 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." charged with?" locked." 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "I will not look." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain photograph a cabinet?" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. "'Ten to two.' be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my him. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He him, that man would not have given me such complete information license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "And what then?" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself remarked. very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "What is it, then--a fire?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are "You were travelling in the States?" smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "He might." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the Assizes." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "None." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my kind enough to tell me what I should do." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as handed it to him. not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All taking in every detail of the apartment. adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open photograph a cabinet?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in papers diligently of late, have you not?" overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an "Perhaps I have." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on indeed happy." were wasted." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us tension within him. all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "But what will you do?" very morning of my second wedding." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a may have an influence upon European history." deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. you." in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" appeared upon the scene." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "You have but to name it." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of be best to do. unprecedented a position." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. my former friend and companion. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "None." yet." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "How did that help you?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "In the cells." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone that and your relations to her." corner of the building. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our his eyes and forehead. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a felt the room to be a little close.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a that he will be back before evening." "You heard nothing yourself last night?" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of leaning back in his chair. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!"