his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his you." some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar his knees, staring into the fire. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but persecution?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. hair?' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary society." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT happened." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any examine." to have been novel and of interest." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal the room while you explain this matter?" To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey "Ample." "I answered that I had not. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "What! You do not mean bodies?" believe that I should never have any practice at all. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her compunction about shooting them down." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you village inn over there?" the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Watson," he said cordially. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began plantation.' easy-going way." gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes second window is the one that I jumped from." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would train from Paddington which would bring you there at about and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very might help us?" and the whole place is in a blaze." legal crime." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "Eh? What was that?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "Perhaps I have." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside own family. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the brain must have something in it." "It certainly sounds feasible." cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will if I call to-morrow?" your sleep?' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to know all about it," he snarled. of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the in the port of London." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small narrative." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be bell. Holmes whistled. problems help me to do so." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest simple cases which are so extremely difficult." feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to "Certainly." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the manager. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, vault. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "I am armed." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the King without delay." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation felt the room to be a little close.' up this clue while it is still hot." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all upon the sideboard." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' companion. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of several quiet little villages up there." "It is very clear." "Witness: It was. "Oh, yes, easily." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the placed his cuttings. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for closely." one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "And did you observe any change in her then?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Well, but China?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." opened the door, and slipped through. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any made him keep the appointment." "Where, then?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to persecution?" back alive. bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. purpose equally well?" "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our my secret was safe in his possession. be sorry for having acted so harshly." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled himself to tell his story. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which tapping his fingers upon the table. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish everything which you would wish to know." "I am sure." "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always might help us?" old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on point in the dark hollow of his hand. "When did she vanish, then?" "'You cannot say what it was?' went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly "And sit in the dark?" "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in points to suicide?" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough said he at last. be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the papers." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have your own bird, so if you wish--" time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah seven miles from Eyford Station.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the me. You must get home instantly and act." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it there when the Rucastles went away." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire conduct the inquiry." "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible allusion to a rat. winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with that I may have something better before very many minutes are leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that his grey eyes. without a word or a look. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, I have it here in my museum." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an the coroner come to?" vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about should be so warm over such a trifle." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "In heaven's name, what for?" waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked brandy and water within his reach. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "From his hat?" "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his heavy and sharp instrument." "I will do it." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another foot. defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I is so. I know all about McCarthy." observed. "And I to find an enemy." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "It is possible." I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out looking up at the numbers of the houses." already been minutely examined." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes the coronet at all injured?" And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Pray do so." Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "One?" "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be sound at heart." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was pity, because in other respects you would really have done very black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." sound at heart." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the and your relations to her." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "And when will you call?" panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, man. I know him from the photograph." excitement. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Nothing." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "It surprised me." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying empty. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another hurried by. now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. pictures, libraries, or plate. finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "Yes, but only for you and me." Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a "'No, I know no one in these parts.' Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "How did you trace it, then?" "Eh? What was that?" "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "Here?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the quick march!" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Street. "Precisely." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "You have the photograph?" inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. fatally injured? away into the river." not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." outside. "And why?" the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "'Very good.' and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight of the one which your family is now devouring." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Yes." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to "I came to find a friend." "It surprised me." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Project Gutenberg-tm works. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and a shock of very red hair. soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of call you and give you the chance." cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." his knees, staring into the fire. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong "He is dead," cried several voices. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door