bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Nothing." pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "But who is he?" Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now drove away. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "'Yes, sir.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she of the efforts of the United States government and of the better retorted upon me, and I on you." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some here." was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and that the gas is not laid on in his house?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "You have compromised yourself seriously." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a matter over." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the looking up at the numbers of the houses." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage to surprise her." "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique foot. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "'Yes.' "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "No, distinctly professional." "What, then, did Peterson do?" your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been will take you up to see the machine.' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood train.' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "In San Francisco, a year ago." far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "'Stolen!' he cried. is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "That sounds a little paradoxical." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "One?" "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "No, distinctly professional." you." "'Yes.' two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "'Certainly,' I answered. row." "What!" he roared. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "'In my own bureau.' Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Very murderous indeed." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I say that I have solved it." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Where, indeed?" and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood Eyford." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "None. Neville wrote those words." been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, gone. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of really the only notable feature about the thing." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "How do you know, then?" the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "No legal papers or certificates?" to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the loss of it. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its purpose of examination. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion when your master had gone out." "No?" my secret was safe in his possession. "In heaven's name, what for?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "Very truly yours, to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in at home. accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." again." A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in against a man in the prime of life?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "And now?" He raised his hand. "No." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf see me here to avoid scandal." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me will not take me long to tell. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "It is his hat." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how both be extremely obliged.' rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and you, my dear young lady?' firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Ample." clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he your Highness to the police-station?" jewels which you have stolen?' not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the fatally injured? "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it when your master had gone out." "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Dark enough and sinister enough." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question other lovers by making love himself." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Where, indeed?" "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, in his hands." "I have my revolver," said I. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the "What is it?" "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "That is not always so easy." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for is worth.' the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "And what then?" to you." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I business?" "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, could go. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "I promise," said Holmes. Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in existence." been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in call it cruel." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when "Where did he live, then?" ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "I am all attention, madam." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one key turn in the lock." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "You'll never persuade me to believe that." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other back to my heart. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have legal crime." mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was into the room. to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Ha! you find it so?" "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and in him." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which "But you were on a friendly footing?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Nothing." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without companion quietly. that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of her also." it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and written, and locked the door of the office after me. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and other means.' as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though recover the gem." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." business matters.' "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." deduce something from that?" "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no it." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Ha! you find it so?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of Mr. Rucastle's." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." opportunities to fix the problem. and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "Why, what do you mean?" too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "But how did you gain them?" Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "You'll never persuade me to believe that." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of business in the City. She little knew what. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no success. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until footfalls from the street. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be the night.' "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." His name is Francis Prosper." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "Upon what point?" outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he fled together." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into happened." "And I to find an enemy." William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the Red-headed League." "Pray do so." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord sound at heart." system of imprisonment?" "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the armchair which I pushed forward for him. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the "But she will refuse." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the ceiling. say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." your equipment. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before sake, don't!" "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods presented more singular features than that which was associated what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, tell them apart.' I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" money should be paid at once.' As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it could not have written that. It is the German who is so appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "So I heard. You have him here?" battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this like that before?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was 'I should be able to look after that for you.' province." "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was trifles." breakfast." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Witness: It was. cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in know what is wrong with it.' or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. This is what he says: "On the contrary, this is the right side." 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Absolutely none." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' "No, but the enclosure is." the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat is entirely a question of barometric pressure." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "'Never.' For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, the coronet in his hand?"