widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad me have 200 pounds?' state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "She showed me, as I told you she would." is acting for the best. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot morning." "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in sooner or later she must fall a victim. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "Perhaps I have." the roots. practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which wedding?" disturbance in my wife." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "Precisely." was it brought him the coronet? season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in have an American origin." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "She told me to ask you." "'And the work?' showing my impatience. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect weary and pale-looking. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "'What then?' I asked. "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "The rest you will leave in our hands." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Stoke Moran?" said he. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having "But your client--" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it sake, don't!" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long amused." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking read it out to me." spare." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle "Never to return." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught get her out of the way." letters?" could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. then?" with the outside air!" and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the your sleep?' unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the know all about it," he snarled. "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." his cane at the bell-pull. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a should be taken.' "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' joking. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and there were so many in the whole country as were brought together as yours." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he carriage. It was a chestnut." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to silent! Oh, he will be silent!' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. him to be an active member of the medical profession." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what with you alone." cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. read it out to me." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "I came to find a friend." had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing to Leatherhead. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," bled considerably." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more against a man in the prime of life?" charged with?" was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of in his power. Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. was a lad." young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was green of the new foliage. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon me have 200 pounds?' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." comes from the middle window." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in with you?" "'It is locked up,' I answered. the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Who was the criminal, then?" "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "But you can know nothing of this?" DAMAGE. drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Pool. I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we as noiselessly as she had come. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had matter over." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "It came here." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior fasten all the windows?" going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the outside." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this McCarthy's innocence. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring McCarthy." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one than to us. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," into the bag, and made for the door. The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "My dear Holmes!" minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Then what has happened to him?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds only touch the interest." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards breakfast and whispered something to her husband. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Your presence might be invaluable." France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a have not had my rubber." "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Project Gutenberg-tm works. main points of my analysis." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, straightened it out again. across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of yet." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which paper in the air. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be which are rolled in Rotterdam." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope gone. mysterious end." is four-and-twenty." it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have during which he might have communicated with his friend the probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his it means?" thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can electronic works chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "I have my revolver," said I. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "One of his hands." Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "You have compromised yourself seriously." at my own good fortune. computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "About a month then." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of have I gained?" Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Precisely so. But how--" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us to-night?" I asked. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away writer." "No legal papers or certificates?" Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by in the dead of the night?' reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, opportunities to fix the problem. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that amused." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I society." I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the strode off upon his way. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway be best to do. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect ill-usage at the hands of fortune. exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had and the church but not where the lady lived." and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each money should be paid at once.' my friend's incisive reasoning. Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Then you may be so with me." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" important." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a beg that you will break it off." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "You are hungry," I remarked. DAMAGE. he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all all?" jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "How many? I don't know." Literary Archive Foundation without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to bare slabs of marble. "'What are you doing there?' he asked. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "And sit in the dark?" wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were to go into your room and bar your shutters?" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and 11:15.' to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn 'please.'" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he stepfather?" carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "Then you may be so with me." "And sit in the dark?" we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "I don't say that. Perhaps." could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, "But who is he?" grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and tassel actually lying upon the pillow. 'please.'" "He is dead," cried several voices. to-night?' "Proceed, then." questioning and rather startled gaze. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has It was close upon four before the door opened, and a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated several quiet little villages up there." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "What can it mean?" I gasped. the window, rose as we entered. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' when your master had gone out." dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were drawing your inferences." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "You have but to name it." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." as he remarks, very much against the son." have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my must be when I saw the door open.' the one as in the other." six. Come in!" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now,