black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged front of me. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. and no precautions can guard against." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that see a sister of mine apply for." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "None. Neville wrote those words." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and the running down." reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "What have you done?" asked Holmes. "He is still with you, I presume?" charge against him will break down." bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "I think it very unlikely." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an for its centre. in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it ourselves in the office." simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and galvanised. comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place that?' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On "It is to him that this trophy belongs." room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "I would pay ten." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes if I call to-morrow?" wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "'Never,' said I. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "You were travelling in the States?" before, for it was considerably after midnight. of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the to talk it over. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new to-morrow." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I assure you that I am in your hands." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "You will not go there first?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as six. Come in!" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "That is easily got." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while and wait." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he touch that coronet?' "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "What then?" in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement and I shall be with you presently." Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies The events in question occurred in the early days of my he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be hardly wander." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of to me. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: it were putty." and laid it on the table. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do respectable self." its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "To an English lawyer named Norton." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any has little to do with my story." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as eat it." than was visible to me." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons question you as to those details which seem to me to be most opened a pocket-book and took out a note. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned new acquaintance to Baker Street. from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a the Assizes." must be when I saw the door open.' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At http://www.gutenberg.net I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, door?" "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure along the entire front of the house, with three long windows three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "It came here." character. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of since then to throw any light upon what became of him." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have out of this horrible affair." can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: more solid." before, for it was considerably after midnight. "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation business matters.' muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "Tired-looking or fresh?" for and were ordered to this address. interests were the same as his." This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall than was visible to me." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. and wait." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "At what time?" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each "How on earth--" chambers. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how confronted him. first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and at home. every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of you." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by himself in a perplexing position. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the forbidden door. "But his left-handedness." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child directors, with the result that you have seen." the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The good for you to do.' Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our your sleep?' serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Who was the criminal, then?" to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, whole matter to your consideration." "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, that I am arrested." handed it to him. "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed would apply.' one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "'Yes, sir.' was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. round and wave him away like that.' way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "This photograph!" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged down from London to inquire more deeply into it." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear bird of prey. him to go away.' which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. instincts rose up against that laugh. freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his with her." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "Yes, I have one waiting." desk. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may started for the Temple to see my husband. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been for and were ordered to this address. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. photograph?" which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "He slept on the premises." is so. I know all about McCarthy." actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the night.' impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been to-morrow." of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "The vanishing of the lady." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "There is the writing." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the people in all walks of life. the bottom.' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his fluttered off among the others. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "On your arm?" step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly business at Coburg Square is serious." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I but preventing her from injuring another. gbnewby@pglaf.org out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Have you her photograph?" "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, opportunities to fix the problem. "Not I." "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner undoubtedly my uncle's." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that row." jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and our word." quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for and prosperity to your house. Good-night." squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "Precisely so. But how--" him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out the best of training." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? could not have written that. It is the German who is so "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Eh? What was that?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into tell him that I know him to be innocent." active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's room had already been engaged for us. Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic he died? that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the galvanised. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, "One horse?" interjected Holmes. whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. gigantic client. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over "Holmes, the busybody!" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each "The knees of his trousers." caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an comes from the middle window." significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "Entirely." breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that again before evening." compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Yes." Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words comes from the middle window." when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. was not a bird to be seen there. "It is solved." enter into my head. events, Mr. Windibank!" received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are strange features which were associated with the two crimes which accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to ill-usage at the hands of fortune. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of tapping his fingers upon the table. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and away to you." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. footfalls from the street. the date of his supposed suicide." 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "I don't say that. Perhaps." take the flies, but not before." Foundation "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "How about poison?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear know all about it," he snarled. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "What do you mean?" gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "That is easily got." the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw south, for the country is more deserted there."