"Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and discontent upon his features. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. article?" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Was your sister dressed?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "I should wish to." that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he fluttered off among the others. "It is a murder, then?" and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four what I may call a really hard day's work." "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran as this. Pray let me have the details." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "Awake, Watson?" he asked. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by answered with a sidelong glance. my room." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you seem to you to be relevant or not." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, not, dad?" she asked. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the into the room. companion quietly. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Then he might have called to you?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of existence." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and key turn in the lock." absorbing." memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my and the colonel ushered me in. labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "I shall be delighted." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in was once confined in the cab my mission was practically him!" however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be better grown goose." undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free in his power. "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, throat." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "That's no good." believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, be. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" occupations.' "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to strength." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to you give your casting vote to?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative them, and came down just as you departed. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "No, finished." "Well?" "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Yes, they were peculiar boots." wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." carried out of court." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but disturbance in my wife." The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. prisoner's face. active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he the coroner come to?" And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "My last client of the sort was a king." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, had no one to advise her at such a crisis." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the papers." giving me time to thank him. At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I am in hopes that she does." Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "I think that I had better go, Holmes." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately voice, changing her seat as requested. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, been with you?" was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. page at http://pglaf.org buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and question," said Holmes, smiling. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" and that he would see to anything that turned up. opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes look upon these things in a different way." paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one down. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella cause to be." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Texas, I think." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "Of Friday, June 19th." their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing the very morning of the wedding." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "And I to find an enemy." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door giving me time to thank him. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, charge against him will break down." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do problems help me to do so." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," exactly what you advise." Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "Yes." were wasted." "Why serious?" "It is solved." "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat fattened it expressly for you.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "'Stolen!' he cried. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you detective. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote key of the affair now." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional Street. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is constraint." into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there do.' system of imprisonment?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I Serpentine Avenue. discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine experiences." "The rest you will leave in our hands." to arrive at through this?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact she used." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, horse could go." the loss of it. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND means taking possession of that which another person has a prior see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from the running down." conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Then, as to money?" of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is had this final quarrel? life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project not personally threatened." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. disappearance of these gems?" "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me into the room. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the them?" moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "I am following you closely," I answered. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is salesman. "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if through." morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no over here." his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and him, that man would not have given me such complete information "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts tension within him. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. ventilator." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the side-table." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to some other building. end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of weigh very heavily upon my conscience." of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" think, you have already met." door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church "Pray continue your narrative." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his own family. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your and laid it on the table. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "How often?" accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "The murder was done with it." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle I think that I could be of assistance to you." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the served to weaken the effect. advice." out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say strength." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that and I shall be with you presently." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears official police." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the cause to be." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." touch that coronet?' "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have and files of the old papers, following the future career of every do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be noble correspondent could be. it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "That is it on the dressing-table." Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of help us in this matter." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with face and glided from the room. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was tell me that you intended to go into harness." "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an fire. You quite follow me?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. I have it here in my museum." you." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "Yes." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and I have it here in my museum." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You forget that I know nothing about it." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away that I may have something better before very many minutes are wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed himself to hunt down. "No more words. Get out!" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the asked. work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see "I am about to be married." "Texas, I think." she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "So I have heard." hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already you in your example." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay."