which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "No?" reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his trying to your nerves." "If so, much may have happened between." invisible to me," I remarked. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got chemical work which was so dear to him. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish business in the City. She little knew what. assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for tapping his fingers upon the table. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property presented which may be striking and bizarre without being posted to-day." "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his make me his representative both with the servants and with the "By all means." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and daring than any effort of the imagination." but preventing her from injuring another. instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "'And the work?' To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. interested in these little problems, and since you are good little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," in this note: The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at yards of it?' to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the inner apartment." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "No sign of it?" little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a rooms." "It missed him, then?" had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "What! Had he lost his wife?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, new acquaintance to Baker Street. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "And how did you verify them?" James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that "It is very kind of you." seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural door?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a should be taken.' that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "A thing like a cleaver," said he. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "His face fell immediately. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock do you make of it all?" seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "And I to find an enemy." "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a Arthur Conan Doyle the matter." quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of results." "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am ways including including checks, online payments and credit card lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was of the way of danger. should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "How did that help you?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? with the outside air!" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Where did he live, then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "Never." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the notes," he said. colour had been driven from his face. test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic presented more singular features than that which was associated PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "Yes, it was twisted." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! them?" concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. danger is over." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, husband's writing, madam." "Certainly." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "It is his hat." the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "Where did he live, then?" studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Miss Holder?" the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Edgeware Road. yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and your relations to her." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "Ah, but I was recommended to you." sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them obstinate." "Her father is very rich?" long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "To the police?" to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the writer." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." get her out of the way." "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on answered with a sidelong glance. telegram would bring me down to your help." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but "We were both in the photograph." contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two green of the new foliage. Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there business?" whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "No, my brougham is waiting." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've she might be summoned. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her arrested. You then--" the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "To an end?" starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the third from London." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Watson," he said cordially. "We have tried and failed." "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward you." eavesdroppers?' "I think that it is very probable." "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the always that they were such commands as a lady might with "It certainly sounds feasible." values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out strength." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, to-night." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Texas, I think." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room at once, for I have only half an hour." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, discontent upon his features. "I think that it is very probable." clang of the bell. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "Yes?" "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Stoke Moran?" said he. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of It may be so in this case, also." served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had opportunities to fix the problem. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." if I call to-morrow?" as yours." has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "She told me to ask you." "I beg pardon." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. mysterious end." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress straighten it?" transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the people don't know." monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then pierced for earrings?" "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," south, for the country is more deserted there." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the we went to search for him, face downward in a little "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. to affect your life." "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange see me here to avoid scandal." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day Arthur Conan Doyle "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my present." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. straighten it?" Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed that you saw all that I did." "Deserted you?" "Well, some hundreds of times." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the armchair which I pushed forward for him. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been entirely lost his self-respect." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with this unhappy family?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, I nodded again. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Have you it here?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. this remarkable episode. of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS take the flies, but not before." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their man. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally have not had my rubber." having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But to whom?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall married her." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "What is it?" "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "By all means." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "From his hat?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a Chief Executive and Director could not account in any way for the presence of the missing walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What criminal. We have already had experience of such." however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer undoubtedly my uncle's." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Sutherland. "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Yes, that is the Crown." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they the loss of it. from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it was a loud and authoritative tap. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it DAMAGE. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you begun to whiten, even as mine has." chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to imbecility!" he cried. "No, my brougham is waiting." connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "I shall most certainly do so." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the locked. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Perhaps we may make them less so." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "That you are never beaten." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than the side-table." gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important,"