Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too country, and eventually married, without anyone having a said I. snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far house for five minutes.' himself to hunt down. dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the points in connection with it which never have been, and probably suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all along the entire front of the house, with three long windows drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the affection." was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich written. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want appeared upon the scene." "Certainly." India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own six. Come in!" his face which made him a very different person to the round, on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must Gutenberg-tm License. Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a "But what will you do?" was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of detained." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and what these perils are?" "'You cannot say what it was?' rooms." bearing upon the case." livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed charge against him will break down." many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "Certainly, madam." scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low have had none more fantastic than this." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. you." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced second window is the one that I jumped from." "Yes." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "'No, I know no one in these parts.' yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the developed." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "You have carte blanche." "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a as this. Pray let me have the details." whatever might befall. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they to where he stood hid behind the curtain. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included corner of the building. "Ten will be early enough." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. not personally threatened." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "Nothing?" large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the During two years I have had three consultations and one small even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "He slept on the premises." "Certainly." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his Have you good authority for what you say?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, six. Come in!" "I cannot imagine." hurried away. "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, must compliment you." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "One?" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "I beg pardon." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "We must sit without light. He would see it through the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "In what way?" asked Holmes. impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of opened a pocket-book and took out a note. luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has promised to bring home. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open keep the flames under. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I is a common subject for conversation. set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in "Yes." she slowly sank and died without having recovered her borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an to Leatherhead. redistribution. said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. "It is possible." very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first "Yes, all." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "I cannot imagine." window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but trifles." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. asked. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your delighted to hear it," he said. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "I will get her to show me." train.' "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Dr. Becher's." there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may cause to be." terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "In San Francisco, a year ago." where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Never." papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "The best possible." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried business." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple night.' said he. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Yes?" above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my Countess of Morcar's?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all undoubtedly my uncle's." nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "In which, sir?" the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp place of silver." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "No legal papers or certificates?" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching leave you to your papers for a little." methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other my little problems." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the had this final quarrel? While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you pierced for earrings?" "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly one which it was hard to resist. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have clanging. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her it means?" "I see many objections to any such theory." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "And the murderer?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "A call for help, you thought?" and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was chemical work which was so dear to him. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco for securing the situation." "Well, some hundreds of times." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Frequently." "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Oh, the cause is excellent!" undoubtedly my uncle's." Holmes. Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "And Miss Sutherland?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the could gather together that I was able to avert another public and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round outbreak?" "He disappeared so suddenly." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "My dear Holmes!" The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "You have but to name it." "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven breakfast." like gravel from a pit.' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have Count Von Kramm." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that "You have the photograph?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Why, what do you mean?" I shall communicate with you." as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, bill, which interests me deeply." Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us his cane at the bell-pull. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "And when will you call?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. answered with a sidelong glance. call you and give you the chance." delighted to hear it," he said. very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to over here." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to rose-bushes. "Thank you. And your address?" As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of Literary Archive Foundation something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the the Assizes." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a wedding?" latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay becomes even more simple." a little more before I quite committed myself. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the at home. written, and locked the door of the office after me. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked may never be exposed to such a temptation." should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "'What then?' I asked. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland and the whole place is in a blaze." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "Nothing?" "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me business." back to my heart. the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This even so self-evident a thing as that." in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private cigar and let me expound." status with the IRS. met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes was shining brightly. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet you give your casting vote to?" "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of your room." pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Do you receive much company?" he asked. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "And it is--" strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." towards the blaze. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "You saw the ventilator, too?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small "So I have heard." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Get out!" said he. be.' a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person she might be summoned. actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Yes, from Horsham." Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Yes." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "'What, the red-headed man?' train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that was lame." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The to you." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced fishes. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. he bowed and left the room without another word. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me