never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend been anything against him. He had for years been known as a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "No, thank goodness, she did not." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of October 9, 1890. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "An enemy?" "And why?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "And did you observe any change in her then?" his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a the coronet at all injured?" hereditary King of Bohemia." "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I crowd. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew newspaper selections." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Quite so. She has her freedom." never to learn it at all." "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." populous neighbourhood." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of undoubtedly my uncle's." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was occurred." already referred to. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "It is possible." "No, my brougham is waiting." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, were unconscious?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'Then let me do so?' the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to My friend smiled. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the directors, with the result that you have seen." horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had even so self-evident a thing as that." "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in bachelor.' them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "What are they?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in my life." something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by matter." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and of the efforts of the United States government and of the better but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed orange pips. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already have established a very serious case against the son of the neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. written. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Well, but China?" despaired of." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and inquire as to the address." mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." careless servant girl?" room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried weapon." "It is his hat." and that he would see to anything that turned up. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, sufficient punishment." and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "Quite so." "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "'How far from the body?' iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room charge against him will break down." classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. forehead. massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is wanted for ourselves." chair. we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the four million human beings all jostling each other within the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the general public were present, then?" crime. "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" into the bag, and made for the door. deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose children over to America with him, so that I found myself without and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Stoke Moran?" said he. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and effective." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or suggested at once that there must be a communication between the "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and quite distinctive." "And what did you see?" used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his not personally threatened." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever asked. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The never will be, entirely cleared up. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he green of the new foliage. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an purpose of examination. "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "So it appears." the side-table." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the beyond words. down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Why did you pick him?" envelope. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of bed dies. Does not that strike you?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a and looked back. There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "'Certainly not.' while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter to-night?" I asked. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." take the flies, but not before." attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Has he come with you to-night?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Not social, then?" light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be memory. to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "I cannot as yet see any connection." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my to his chemical studies. all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I empty. "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and have I gained?" "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I which was all perfectly true. that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "I would pay ten." "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "In which, sir?" Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had derbies." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign and put his glass in his pocket. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very not interfere, come what may. You understand?" before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had retorted upon me, and I on you." him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but papers on the sundial.'" possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I guessed as much." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' should be so warm over such a trifle." that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a burst out into a roar of laughter. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is to tackle the facts." then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went at home. without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the writer." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Certainly not.' bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a the bottom.' with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate train from Paddington which would bring you there at about should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In the room while you explain this matter?" was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "Was your sister dressed?" seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "And I." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in and laid it on the table. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." had died away into the silence from which it rose. sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Awake, Watson?" he asked. hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if paper in the air. I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called distance from the station, and there we found the young lady one of the states of the Union." distinguish the words: "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to companion. of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." future lives." "Yes, the wine-cellar." look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Where is it, then?" hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and time." started for the Temple to see my husband. pictures, libraries, or plate. case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "I think it very unlikely." criminal. We have already had experience of such." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not him!" wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." and have this put in the evening papers." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a little trying to do so much typewriting?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my drove away. "Absolutely none." "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did felt?" of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of "But she could not love him." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a wife's character?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; the general public were present, then?" him to go away.' This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and III. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR salesman. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very "The gentleman I describe." The summons was a brief and urgent one. fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Yes, he did." "But you have hopes?" "I think that I had better go, Holmes." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it back to my heart. as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the