building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered public press." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the coronet in his hand?" she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an could gather together that I was able to avert another public the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son to you." place no limit on the sum I may draw." system of imprisonment?" "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in than was visible to me." moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, "And how did you verify them?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we in. astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "That you are never beaten." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Lestrade of Scotland Yard." comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that to-night's adventure." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "But to whom?" controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "'Never.' so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "My dear Holmes!" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." chair. "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two front of the hall door has given its name to the place. were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having would then never go into court at all." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "I have come for advice." down from London to inquire more deeply into it." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It drawing your inferences." houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of "No, finished." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Eh? What was that?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "I will get her to show me." The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood on in his house." in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "The landlord of the Alpha." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what long narrative. covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own second window is the one that I jumped from." rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "But what will you do?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that Cross for the Continent." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers Young McCarthy must be got off, however." waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather papers must be those that are destroyed.' collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other It may be so in this case, also." opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest had a long day." despaired of." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest chemical work which was so dear to him. that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "'I have heard so.' the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that opened a pocket-book and took out a note. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "But how could you guess what the motive was?" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "And that is--" the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during this truth that in these little records of our cases which you read it out to me." "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become a suggestive one." may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord bachelor.' o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is "And you thought he was pulled back?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called side. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "No. What a strange idea!" would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "The vanishing of the lady." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "I would pay ten." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, girl said." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "Well, some hundreds of times." "Quite so." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from peculiar to him. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just detective. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "'It is locked up,' I answered. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in unkempt, staring out at me. just ask you whether you had heard it.' ways of our fellow-men." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several strange features which were associated with the two crimes which morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' a suggestive one." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. that you wished to speak to me?' 11:15.' gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "How can you tell that?" "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "How are you getting on?" crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they of." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my Holmes. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." the morning and make my own way in the world.' closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "'Certainly not.' unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As the King without delay." my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Well, but China?" the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "I have seen the police." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had absolutely follow my advice in every respect." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, business." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public spare." "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "What! Had he lost his wife?" voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "'There is a drive, then?' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left was a perfect sample of the class. "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, good-night and bustled off upon her way. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." "What!" he roared. noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "I will, Miss Turner." locked." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." 1.E.9. also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they during which he might have communicated with his friend the hour." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a stepfather?" counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "It may not come to that," said Holmes. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in one or two very singular points about this room. For example, small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "Yes, certainly." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and "No. His orders were to stay in the house." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the open." 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some think, you have already met." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place which I could not give. He asked for Alice. arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but The events in question occurred in the early days of my begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious arms and began to sob in a high treble key. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and it." home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right sit on the left-hand side of the driver." make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to said he. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out "It missed him, then?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. be.' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through fled together." acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "You did not overhear what they said?" along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I think that I had better go, Holmes." tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the help us in this matter." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and "By no means." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "'What are you doing there?' he asked. about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a hair?' and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what detained." tell them apart.' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. that I may have something better before very many minutes are the address that was given us in the advertisement. exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the passage and a tap at the door. and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "'Certainly not. But why?' were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He fish-monger and a tide-waiter." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the I nodded to show that I had heard. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and to have been novel and of interest." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." than was visible to me." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, "It came here." was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was him!" "But not more so than I to find you." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "I would give my fortune to have them back." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You McCarthy." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Surrey." will he say when he returns?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond Where does the thing come from?' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "I fear not." even of instruction." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'What then?' I asked. enter into my head. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "'Oh, no.' clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre gbnewby@pglaf.org tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to gives a meaning to it." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "But how?" wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "To ruin me." fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any money should be paid at once.' Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its