which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went the matter." which our visitor detailed to us. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If wedding?" of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Certainly." "I say that I have solved it." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "Yes, they were peculiar boots." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "One of his hands." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "And your mother is alive?" "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: outbreak?" receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check Eyford at 11:15.' considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. purpose equally well?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the nonsense.' through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of that you saw all that I did." You want to know what became of those geese?" London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less and laid it on the table. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a closely." of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "He might." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar long narrative. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he goes." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the off." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his of it with the greatest attention. result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up some city in a dream. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," writer." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be to take care of herself." "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I prison!" every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall them, and came down just as you departed. and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "From his hat?" "'Why that?' I asks. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable that, and I came down." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious never will be, entirely cleared up. "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it and prosperity to your house. Good-night." most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage unkempt, staring out at me. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more case before our client came into the room." day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend the nursery. a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "Yes. He waved his hands." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a which was all perfectly true. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in Holmes. Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it the Assizes." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." gone. His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the what these perils are?" laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet "But of what society?" kindly on the shoulder. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was at my own good fortune. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature upon the white wrist. footfalls from the street. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much gone before you can get him to hospital." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "How are you getting on?" "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "And why in hopes?" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "The King of Scandinavia." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." nonsense.' everything which you would wish to know." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded it." framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' colonel looking down at me. the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." http://www.gutenberg.net little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have disturbance in my wife." "Very murderous indeed." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. that I may have something better before very many minutes are might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Yes." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "A client, then?" work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "No, thank goodness, she did not." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in written, and locked the door of the office after me. step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money wedding?" "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project felt the room to be a little close.' was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As "No more words. Get out!" weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "No, my brougham is waiting." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself might have a private word with us. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Sutherland?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the beyond words. was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott locked. better grown goose." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was helping a boy to put up the shutters. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions has little to do with my story." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "I cannot say that I have." now. It seems that there had been some informality about their All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the relief. "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "No. What a strange idea!" 11:15.' into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." locked." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may your troubles." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. would apply.' could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Indeed! Whose, then?" pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very the child." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police and looked back. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "'Is purely nominal.' my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to telegram would bring me down to your help." "And the murderer?" ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "And you can do nothing until then?" "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the that I am arrested." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my not come at once?" Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, together. unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" she slowly sank and died without having recovered her the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country me, and I could not think that his explanation of the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "No, finished." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of client, rising. say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on said Mr. Holder. John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his was a loud and authoritative tap. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. his fortune, and I went back to pa. my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the she has been waylaid. There has been no result." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "I will, Miss Turner." week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week DAMAGE. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." fear." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "I never have." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "My opinion is in no way altered." "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls chambers. Dr. Gregory B. Newby quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "Has he come with you to-night?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no gives a meaning to it." I took the paper from him and read as follows: "And why?" house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, again on its way. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "That also I could fathom." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB and all of them with the keenest interest. "What, then?" request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ Where does the thing come from?' "Do you know him?" "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" Have you good authority for what you say?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable