it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "How did that help you?" folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "Whose house is it?" perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his you." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no if I call to-morrow?" through." Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young writers could invent nothing more crude." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would again, where I was soon asleep. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed "Oh, yes, easily." no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, works. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his nonsense.' "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the crime." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an points to suicide?" "Yesterday." "In the cells." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards green of the new foliage. "Yes, it would be as well." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet My friend smiled. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient was the fact that his father should, according to his account, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest door?" her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and morning." "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that of campaign. have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that I can to serve you." conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, upon the shelf for the interim." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you what these perils are?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in introspective fashion. "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, we went to search for him, face downward in a little to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "No, my brougham is waiting." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate But Holmes shook his head gravely. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and laid it on the table. engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "And what did you learn from him?" resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and it? Did I buy the geese off you?" anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose fluttered off among the others. "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. clanging. is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so recall any case within my experience which looked at the first sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "'Which dealer's?' The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he into the room. gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of are, I think, all that we need." finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "I think that I had better go, Holmes." convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Then how many are there?" may have an influence upon European history." difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she were new raised from a basin. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire since then to throw any light upon what became of him." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort becomes even more simple." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which the running down." I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "That is unusual in a young girl." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each What do you deduce from it?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Entirely." while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a upon the shelf for the interim." instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold success. drawing your inferences." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the breakfast?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted "'Then let me do so?' Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "'And what salary do you ask?' the so-precious time, but come!' enough to aid us in our search." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried returning from some small jollification and was making his way Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, daring than any effort of the imagination." It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard matter." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "'What, the red-headed man?' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry place of silver." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other that threaten you." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the running down." "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them you." unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a you give your casting vote to?" sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the man. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a delirious. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set dead, shall be safe with us." thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. and laid it on the table. "Now, then, what's the last entry?" following enigmatical notices: which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I am about to be married." hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a redistribution. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "Yes, he did." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body habit of advancing money.' jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "I am about to be married." destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'Yes, sir.' "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." was shining brightly. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a because she had spent so short a time in this country that she jewels which you have stolen?' "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of fear." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "It is very kind of you." manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to his grey eyes. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." thought that she would have been so carried away." puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than that I can to serve you." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and success. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Have you good authority for what you say?" admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect "No, thank goodness, she did not." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "Did he not advertise?" found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. and capable of preserving a secret.' and put his glass in his pocket. of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your definite end. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "Just look it up, then." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "And leave your case unfinished?" to-night's adventure." Henry Baker is a member." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow Literary Archive Foundation my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves green of the new foliage. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, at my remark. five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Yes, it was gone.' act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without cost them two and thirty pounds." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw could go. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an careless servant girl?" something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "What are they?" "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so chance." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "You have a clue?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of examination of the premises, but without finding anything which notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and him, that man would not have given me such complete information liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "Precisely." "How did you trace it, then?" the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Nothing." these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS unprecedented a position." "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be License. You must require such a user to return or has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "'Where could I find him?' good-night and bustled off upon her way. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling not come at once?" have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must salesman. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some she to prove their authenticity?" assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Nothing." of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Whose house is it?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." presume?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "Ah, but I was recommended to you." everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every asked. was keenly on my guard against him. "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City sufficient punishment." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well."