been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at posted to-day." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "It is possible." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "And what did you see?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Yes, there are nearly always some there." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "I should wish to." read over the extraordinary announcement. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back out of this horrible affair." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found call for it in person on Monday morning.' there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all "To the police?" chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn copied or distributed: coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he putting in the horse. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in salesman. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove you?' like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious best detective that ever lived. believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "And is that all?" "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business anything to do with the matter?" credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Yes, sir." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'Yes, it was gone.' a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "I have a cab outside." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "Quite so. She has her freedom." "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." you." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "ARAT," I read. II. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a weighed down with some great anxiety. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed straightened it out again. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "It is possible." "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the You can understand that this register and diary may implicate the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United country, and eventually married, without anyone having a but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming enter Dr. Roylott's room." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next he died? reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his answered with a sidelong glance. snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they served to weaken the effect. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than everything which you would wish to know." "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small fait accompli?" have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, so.' souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I will get her to show me." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But for its centre. younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia this Miss Turner." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, touch that coronet?' understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man in a very precise fashion." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to of note-paper. It read in this fashion: he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, writer." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small I took the paper from him and read as follows: of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "'Ample.' on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the relation between them, and what the object of his repeated and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to brandy and water within his reach. high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not do." effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was rooms." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, memory. "Well, it is a possible supposition." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place Stoke Moran." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "The rest you will leave in our hands." peculiar to him. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen indeed happy." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the tragedy. have one." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "It is very kind of you." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "The vanishing of the lady." pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Yes, sir." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "None." locked. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "'Entirely.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "Why, what do you mean?" above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "No, my brougham is waiting." two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get awaited us upon the table. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, official police." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in conceal it?" calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fattened it expressly for you.' "You think that he is dead?" was it brought him the coronet? even so self-evident a thing as that." could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "'A dozen yards or so.' door?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Never to return." "But who is he?" him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "From his hat?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Very well, sir. And this stone?" need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "Just look it up, then." wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was answer." spark where all is dark to me." done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to had this final quarrel? in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project tell me that you intended to go into harness." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." prison!" "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been weapon." "What do you make of that, Watson?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, floor. "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged vanished into the darkness. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "There is the writing." secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Then what has happened to him?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just gone before you can get him to hospital." whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. into the room. him. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a lumber-room." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "This photograph!" can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window nice household for a young lady." had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Yes, all." my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great your equipment. on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "Absolutely none." and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the and have this put in the evening papers." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "What, then, did Peterson do?" found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet "Where to?" you give your casting vote to?" she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "You did not overhear what they said?" Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He It may be so in this case, also." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts even so self-evident a thing as that." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned will take you up to see the machine.' possible that we could bring him back to her? Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. Chief Executive and Director for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "But what will you do?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Holmes." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. this man was intellectual?" TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the jewels which you have stolen?' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a room. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was happened." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is tied." I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his is worth.' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "But you were on a friendly footing?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Thank you. Pray proceed." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "I say it is." engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. himself. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS who was a member of your goose club." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "And what did you see?" and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad flock.' was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "On Monday." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the to a more successful conclusion." to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it to that open window." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from the nursery. "We have tried and failed." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, stalked out of the room. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. troubles have been weighing upon his mind. 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was the general public were present, then?" "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "'Yes.' was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "Upon what point?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Doctor, of the paper and the date." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a residence of the great financier. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "But we can't all be." done what I asked you, Jones?" beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the lumber-room." clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good him and tried to hold him back. the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "Very. But will he see it?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The rest you will leave in our hands." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague writing, and yet I know it well." little adventures." was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been enter into my head. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as this as likely?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other "You'll never persuade me to believe that." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, The King stared at him in amazement. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than was keenly on my guard against him. upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an call it cruel." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large fasten all the windows?" union?" it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few could go. at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any footfalls from the street. "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another