"One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation so far?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might "What office?" railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster locked." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "So I heard. You have him here?" it." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'I shall certainly be there.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Very much so." "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not was once confined in the cab my mission was practically bill, which interests me deeply." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "On your arm?" "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the hurried away. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer if she died from some sudden fright." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was ceremony." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "None. Neville wrote those words." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a outbreak?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of money should be paid at once.' window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would to me. think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our will take you up to see the machine.' constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "The landlord of the Alpha." I nodded to show that I had heard. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked handed it to him. willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' through." clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of was already answered. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out Miss Holder?" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in instincts rose up against that laugh. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant other lovers by making love himself." giving me time to thank him. "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have own family. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking question you as to those details which seem to me to be most habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I think it very unlikely." great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "About a month then." and all of them with the keenest interest. "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. recover the gem." "But what harm can there be in that?" a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." trying to your nerves." served to weaken the effect. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and salesman. Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months trying to your nerves." business in the City. She little knew what. than was visible to me." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off sound at heart." in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Of what day?" true." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know coroner's jury." glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "Yes, the wine-cellar." the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "VIOLET HUNTER." dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the room. "But to whom?" all that?" "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Not yet." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said "Absolutely none." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "Who by?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "No, distinctly professional." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "No, my brougham is waiting." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about go from here to the Strand." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "But his left-handedness." handed it to him. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a thirty. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "In San Francisco, a year ago." cause to be." object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "Ha! you find it so?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, six. Come in!" The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. take the flies, but not before." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very society." mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "'There is a drive, then?' "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. the running down." was keenly on my guard against him. kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all nice household for a young lady." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret have one." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by nights." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Not social, then?" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "But to whom?" young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "Was your sister dressed?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in companion. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There served to weaken the effect. He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he union?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and definite end. "We were both in the photograph." him." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought this as likely?" facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. back into the street. said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client at a side door. eavesdroppers?' seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford whether it answered to the description of any of their shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an very peculiar words of the dying woman?" my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his "Very truly yours, "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even copied or distributed: an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds waste of energy." "Yes." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first pictures, libraries, or plate. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have touch that coronet?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The his face which made him a very different person to the round, during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain that?' ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "To an English lawyer named Norton." transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined present strange and interesting features that it is no easy black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and charged with?" me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I have seen the police." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be them, and came down just as you departed. much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." cup of tea. fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a drove away. his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "Yes, the wine-cellar." Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did gigantic client. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson weapon." wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at particular state visit http://pglaf.org happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties showing my impatience. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Then you may be so with me." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the 11:15.' 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Ten will be early enough." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass fluttered off among the others. the King without delay." "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "There is the writing." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know compunction about shooting them down." opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the habit of advancing money.' compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between did not hear it also.' have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "You don't mind breaking the law?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that come either from the window or the door. My attention was top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "The vanishing of the lady." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. speckled band?" in his power. "You did not overhear what they said?" was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You saw the ventilator, too?" Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear bird of prey. and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Certainly." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored searched, without anything being found which could incriminate need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, sofa. This way, please!" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. in. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "How often?" of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an approach us with offers to donate. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. been anything against him. He had for years been known as a see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are views." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "It was." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out as the one I chose?' What do you deduce from it?" every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear trifles."