that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the But Holmes shook his head gravely. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed more terrible than the truth. "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "That is easily got." stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the gbnewby@pglaf.org "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in "A client, then?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and "You have the photograph?" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "At what time?" papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of present." envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend shoulder. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project at my own good fortune. among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "I assure you that I am in your hands." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor up this clue while it is still hot." off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the you." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "I should like to see him very much." whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have the station." erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "What, then?" "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "I came to find a friend." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained pound a week." male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the indeed happy." scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" this unhappy family?" in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." wanted for ourselves." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are along the entire front of the house, with three long windows pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "Not yet." of it with the greatest attention. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and said he. along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO public press." think that any burglar could have done. Holmes' thin, eager face. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that "In the cells." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have direction." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself remarked. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "Do you receive much company?" he asked. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the very old mansion. impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the the nursery. "Witness: I must still refuse. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, bare slabs of marble. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted late." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Pope's Court, Fleet Street." Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would several quiet little villages up there." certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss "I have come for advice." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." arrangements." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "But you were on a friendly footing?" "It is half-past ten now." take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they shadow pass over his face as I spoke. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" him to be an active member of the medical profession." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he said he. during that time.' have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Ample." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a what I may call a really hard day's work." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the coroner's jury." o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's beg that you will break it off." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? and wait." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your whether it answered to the description of any of their the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. 11:15.' to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked murdered man." the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Which are?" "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" awkward doing business with an alias." Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in amused." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the yourselves in at night?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not the coroner come to?" is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. my special province." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his wall." week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "If so, much may have happened between." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of allusion to a rat. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." him." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the in the hope of finding them." "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not you give your casting vote to?" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not the armchair which I pushed forward for him. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less which I could not give. He asked for Alice. used to be." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." could not have written that. It is the German who is so strong reason behind." at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his Eyford." "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew spark where all is dark to me." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double I was concerned in it." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, as noiselessly as she had come. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the best of training." "This concluded the examination of the witness." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "I should be immensely obliged to you." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "Come in!" said Holmes. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet his cane at the bell-pull. carpenter." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the had picked up in the wood. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who waste of energy." John Swain, of St. Augustine. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "I would give my fortune to have them back." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to results." behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "Yes?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "'About the same.' which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Ah, but I was recommended to you." business in the City. She little knew what. Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "We must sit without light. He would see it through the possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "I cannot imagine." a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put this man was intellectual?" I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just felt the room to be a little close.' explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father in my life." followed. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was once more on the important position which you have been fortunate and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding threw himself down with his face to the pillow. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his London for the present?" docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. Clair, of Lee." "Holmes, the busybody!" "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to cigars in their mouths. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "'What would be the hours?' I asked. were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my tied." "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic really the only notable feature about the thing." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect there." pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted business?" home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "It is solved." matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, neither fascinating nor artistic." "It was." be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could in the port of London." leave you to your papers for a little." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "Yes. He waved his hands." "'A dozen yards or so.' said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she them, and came down just as you departed. or in danger--" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." it with his own hands." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to read it out to me." went to the Alpha were town bred." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed I think that I could be of assistance to you." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to purpose equally well?" you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "Have you her photograph?" Street. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "No sign of it?" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the and shall probably return to London by the evening train." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with through." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad as yours." be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "Can I be of assistance?" strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the coronet at all injured?" "I am armed." "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor "On Monday." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "Come in!" said Holmes. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time Where does the thing come from?' Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the was a lad." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Which surely he restored to their owner?" some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it License. You must require such a user to return or way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see