a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with visitors." "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who impression behind it as though a window had gently closed let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the indeed which he could not unravel. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We noting anything else of interest. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." least a most suspicious remark." "I cannot imagine." point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "Where is it, then?" "If I can be of use." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Did you become engaged then?" way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "Nothing." have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," later, upon the night of May 2nd." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "No." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," The telegram which we eventually received came late one night The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It is a murder, then?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, true." the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." hopeless attempt at recovering them." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the rat could hardly pass through." Heh?' Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called away in different directions, and I went off to make my own certainly not very gracious." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a Henry Baker is a member." "By train from Waterloo." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "I shall be delighted." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "My dear Holmes!" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Very much so." together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." friend's singular character. matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but 11:15.' "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the envelope. the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was quite distinctive." they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at against a man in the prime of life?" foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to have that photograph." electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee populous neighbourhood." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "What then?" this remarkable episode. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person crowd. harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and hour?' Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case and that he would see to anything that turned up. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or some place of shelter and let the county police know what has together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their the iron safe, which he closed upon it. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'Most admirably.' "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and just called myself is not exactly my own." photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." himself to hunt down. that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who the one as in the other." confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the written, and locked the door of the office after me. it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I know where it is." "Married! When?" direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "She showed me, as I told you she would." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what people don't know." case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to national property. I was determined that the law should have its the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three that you wished to speak to me?' have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present status with the IRS. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the directors have had misgivings upon the subject." to-night's adventure." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "Have you her photograph?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal was a lad." really the only notable feature about the thing." carpenter." and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I beg pardon." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Miss Holder?" and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was photograph?" something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "10th. John Swain cleared. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the call it cruel." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me in a friendly supper." at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I it with his own hands." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Here?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat standing smiling on the door-step. your troubles." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" which should have the effect of calling the attention of the Holmes' thin, eager face. "Breckinridge is his name." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a correct than the official force." "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the Henry Baker is a member." that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that question," said Holmes, smiling. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. "We have tried and failed." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in writing, and yet I know it well." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, appointment with me for six o'clock?" Countess of Morcar's?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "The knees of his trousers." contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous had picked up in the wood. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He "The gentleman I describe." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should III. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "Perhaps I have." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was Heh?' simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for The events in question occurred in the early days of my so.' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "You have carte blanche." they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "No." "That is not always so easy." and all of them with the keenest interest. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull views." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." woven round him. Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself was lame." inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. "No." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging "Was there a secret marriage?" case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "Then I am your man." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how becomes even more simple." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added mysterious business." him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or done what I asked you, Jones?" high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and all-comprehensive glances. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "Pray tell us what has happened to you." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort Holmes' thin, eager face. "Pray let us have it, for all that." until night should bring an explanation. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "You have carte blanche." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the way in." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea felt the room to be a little close.' "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the persecution?" "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "From his hat?" vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I their singular warning or token before them when starting upon admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. visitors." his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." interests were the same as his." which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us quick march!" arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money a monotonous occupation." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over very peculiar words of the dying woman?" excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." so.' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common here." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'I have heard so.' any little problem which you may submit to me." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you His smile broadened. "How on earth--" Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable what I may call a really hard day's work." already referred to. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" heavy and sharp instrument." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as signal between you and your father? "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "Seven!" I answered. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "It may not come to that," said Holmes. he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking is," said he presently: contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Pray be precise as to details," said he. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "My stepfather's business papers." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is