"I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "It looks newer than the other things?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and six. Come in!" "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's persecution?" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Nor running a chance of arrest?" front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with you alone." "That is unusual in a young girl." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "That is possible." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Yes, there are nearly always some there." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. gone. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my bill, which interests me deeply." advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler that?' pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you room had already been engaged for us. phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "Where, then?" us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that have an American origin." law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. rat could hardly pass through." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "I am to be neutral?" my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'How far from the body?' face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing take the flies, but not before." of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you tell him that I know him to be innocent." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or one's self under obligations.' 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he which I could not give. He asked for Alice. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds cigar and let me expound." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of congenial hunt. "Did you become engaged then?" later, upon the night of May 2nd." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for enter Dr. Roylott's room." he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was despaired of." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A point our research must commence, and we will begin it by The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." This is what he says: "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of a light. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "Two days later this same performance was gone through under lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and quick march!" my room." TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or chill to my heart. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the very morning of my second wedding." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your figure." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I with you alone." about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Witness: It was. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. stalked out of the room. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Entirely." Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "She told me to ask you." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "'And what salary do you ask?' lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "A thing like a cleaver," said he. casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "No, finished." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul Farm upon the left." professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong ashen face. his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were during which he might have communicated with his friend the stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out thought that she would have been so carried away." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "She told me to ask you." bonnet, and went out." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal you." had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "Yes." his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on ran thus: "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man their singular warning or token before them when starting upon brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. carried out of court." "Never to return." arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "I will do it." "'What, the red-headed man?' tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Not in a good cause." "And what did you see?" "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted peculiar to him. the station." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Street. which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. comes from the middle window." "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid it." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" again, where I was soon asleep. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it way: "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish the coronet in his hand?" out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a His smile broadened. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, hopeless attempt at recovering them." or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' eavesdroppers?' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the meanly of me." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who "You don't mind breaking the law?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not the best of training." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do strode off upon his way. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just Have you good authority for what you say?" "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade is a common subject for conversation. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To that I may have something better before very many minutes are connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to miss it." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "The rest you will leave in our hands." "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." that threaten you." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in "You have compromised yourself seriously." "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "It's nothing of the kind." "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I assure you that I am in your hands." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need place no limit on the sum I may draw." does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "And when will you call?" ago." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an galvanised. that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "What then?" "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a outbreak?" "And sit in the dark?" that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done in the hope of finding them." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, lost nothing by them." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the to-night?" I asked. despair." pity, because in other respects you would really have done very eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's "That's no good." keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the general public were present, then?" which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have derbies." has little to do with my story." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "On your arm?" the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' outsides of the windows. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is into the bag, and made for the door. shaken than I had ever seen him. he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he the coroner come to?" Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in page at http://pglaf.org utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "But the mystery?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. most important business. It is probable that he will be away all "Yes." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "I think that it is very probable." I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting whereabouts. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'About the same.' without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," burst into a hearty fit of laughter. which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, future lives." over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is wedding?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. stalked out of the room. tightly behind him. was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. him nearly every evening." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to father's young wife. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of conceal it?" "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Will you bet, then?" over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had shoulder. definite end. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest client, rising. depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement Mary, has deserted me." conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the late." I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "A call for help, you thought?" prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, more terrible than the truth. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the chambers. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." any." foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "'I am sure if I had known--' black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not of his shoulders. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry started for the Temple to see my husband. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey