laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission about. Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire "A client, then?" "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of floor. "'What do you call purely nominal?' returned to France?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, had picked up in the wood. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the and glanced through. The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the call for it in person on Monday morning.' ventilator." against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his absolutely follow my advice in every respect." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by true." key of the affair now." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR enough to aid us in our search." We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "You know me, then?" "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep do you make of it all?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another had picked up in the wood. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As with her." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Arthur Conan Doyle months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs help us in this matter." if I call to-morrow?" round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "And the cigar-holder?" adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which Eyford at 11:15.' fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Won't it ring?" interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, tear off another piece?' asked with his eyes open. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little which was all perfectly true. "The Cedars?" from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of this poor creature." "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Why, what do you mean?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he people in all walks of life. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I cannot tell." Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that about here speaks of his kindness to him." "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy residence of the great financier. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to pressing in one house as in another. I was concerned in it." were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish details should find their way into the papers. Inspector lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared your most interesting statement." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a lamp in his hand. house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own know that the truth is known." night.' said he. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon away to you." "You saw the ventilator, too?" "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite "Where, then, is my wife?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I likely to be some crony of the landlady's." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few and glanced through. "Well, some hundreds of times." "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting anything to a woman, for she would have her way." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, without a word or a look. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear never to learn it at all." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this likely to be some crony of the landlady's." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "'Yes, it was gone.' "Was she in good spirits?" entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. Holmes' thin, eager face. fasten all the windows?" "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "What?" "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "And did you observe any change in her then?" am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "Yes, that is the Crown." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS in the hope of finding them." reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might very morning of my second wedding." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then, how do you know?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "'What would be the hours?' I asked. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the The summons was a brief and urgent one. was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "'Certainly,' I answered. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall to-night's adventure." again." Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you open." carpenter." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some security.' Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "A call for help, you thought?" it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the was lame." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow redistribution. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Well, some hundreds of times." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "I guessed as much." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, way in everything. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "9th. McCauley cleared. brandy and water within his reach. "Nothing?" he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without arrested. You then--" you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the to-night?' and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "May I see it?" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" compunction about shooting them down." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" it." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "But she will refuse." "How did that help you?" "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "One?" plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had down. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "Why did you pick him?" ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your fluttered off among the others. Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." hardly wander." companion. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out visitors." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "'Which dealer's?' deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. think that any burglar could have done. can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." generous with you in money matters.' indeed happy." cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "Precisely so. But how--" gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him point our research must commence, and we will begin it by nonsense.' past. "Yesterday." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon silent! Oh, he will be silent!' you." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should such attractions and accomplishments?' you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Not social, then?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the people don't know." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just bird I ate is country bred." and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "Oh, fresh and glossy." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some behind me. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. security.' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's soul! here is her carriage at the door." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "So I heard. You have him here?" "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "It is very kind of you." which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This heavily into it. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "She walked into the breakfast-room." is now desirous of getting those letters back." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the she used." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the mystery." "Very. But will he see it?" of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "I will, Miss Turner." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "But how could you guess what the motive was?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was kind enough to tell me what I should do." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle least a most suspicious remark." said Mr. Holder. respectable self." as yours." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already a very grave face. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had trifles." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be used to be." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I is now desirous of getting those letters back." Literary Archive Foundation to arrive at through this?" door?" thought that she would have been so carried away." "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an absolutely follow my advice in every respect." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet anything to a woman, for she would have her way." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he them, and came down just as you departed. American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I about here speaks of his kindness to him." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the some mystery and the punishment of some crime." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "By no means." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Thank you. Pray proceed." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a his forehead." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "I am armed." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Absolutely?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "On the contrary, this is the right side." But Holmes shook his head gravely. 'I should be able to look after that for you.'