from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "'Is 4 pounds a week.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up to talk it over. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the room while you explain this matter?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round dear old homesteads?" will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor not as remarkable as your advertisement." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for will find little credit to be gained out of this case." and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low horse could go." swore that no one else had been in the front room during the is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "You don't mind breaking the law?" what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "I am armed." touch that coronet?' last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Texas, I think." face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "'Very good.' "'A dozen yards or so.' really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as true." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "'Certainly not. But why?' "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do dramatic, in fact." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a chemical work which was so dear to him. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in hand, madam?" house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "But what is it you wish?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I breakfast?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial cigar and let me expound." permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "'Why that?' I asks. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' recall any case within my experience which looked at the first or other trace. But how on earth--" first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "It is no ordinary one." quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press key turn in the lock." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has way in." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the begin with, and I had not got mine yet." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." if she died from some sudden fright." experiences." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." points to suicide?" detained." Eyford." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Ten to two.' after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, me where it went to?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From the running down." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." front of the hall door has given its name to the place. Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. records." promised to bring home. tail." nights." "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the ran thus: as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "And what then?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should The summons was a brief and urgent one. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. this Miss Turner." There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: row." all?" "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I introspective fashion. to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the I leave." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but interest. They are important, you understand, without being this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. politicians who had been sent down from the North. think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it with her." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I him to be an active member of the medical profession." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was with some details as to your case." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to "I will try. What is it?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from telegram would bring me down to your help." "'Yes.' eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his burst out into a roar of laughter. "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was awaited us upon the table. character. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door intrusion of other matters." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "You think that he is dead?" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" it means?" "Can I be of assistance?" and inquire as to the address." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" strode off upon his way. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "Perfectly so." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "'In my own bureau.' blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon him to be an active member of the medical profession." besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the in. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Precisely." however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in and I shall be with you presently." as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, point in the dark hollow of his hand. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "I was mad--insane." surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" address. tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just clanging. grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "'I am sure that I do not know.' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and laid it on the table. like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, there!' dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "VIOLET HUNTER." the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Not particularly." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "Absolutely?" besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "Well, it is a possible supposition." total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." returning from some small jollification and was making his way better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "And what did you see?" clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms hand, madam?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have again before evening." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Seven!" I answered. "Not in a good cause." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he skylight. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "What steps will you take?" I asked. moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think humiliation." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "And the murderer?" it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Yes." "Yes, I have one waiting." vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I will get her to show me." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its knowledge of the world." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "And I say east," said my patient. voice, changing her seat as requested. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day room?" matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of "It must be recovered." Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'As governess?' imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." breakfast." well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very into the bag, and made for the door. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. constraint." into the room. "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit the so-precious time, but come!' Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that despair." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a more solid." firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "That was it, sir." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the The telegram which we eventually received came late one night inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Was your sister dressed?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "Very murderous indeed." man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "What of the rat, then?" lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "And I to find an enemy." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with in a very precise fashion." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they me what he had done with the three missing stones. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "Yes." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this newspaper selections." "But who is he?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray easy-going way." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "How did that help you?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the married her." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Not I." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves Again Holmes raved in the air. "Then I shall certainly come." Farm upon the left." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He but preventing her from injuring another. little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "'Yes, I promise.' he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New man. insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a one of them." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with it means?" "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch