assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it will take you up to see the machine.' adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the matter?" returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest signal between you and your father? but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, question," said Holmes, smiling. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as upon the sideboard." locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you was a loud and authoritative tap. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour roused himself from his reverie. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend skylight. the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and bare slabs of marble. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "That is easily got." "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious recall any case within my experience which looked at the first form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a which we had just quitted. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" security.' from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me some water from a caraffe. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent tell me that you intended to go into harness." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my introspective fashion. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it breakfast." "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am directors, with the result that you have seen." as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "You have the photograph?" week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll "Was he the only applicant?" downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the 1.E.9. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his and that he would see to anything that turned up. that I can to serve you." both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do from you?" If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "But his left-handedness." the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time business." "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you you in yours." he bowed and left the room without another word. that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly for the market.' slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. a very grave face. Dr. Gregory B. Newby would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "But she could not love him." we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Sholtos." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "That's no good." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "Certainly." an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "He said that you could solve anything." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one one which it was hard to resist. "We must sit without light. He would see it through the trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those drawing your inferences." said Mr. Holder. "'Yes, sir.' "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. coroner's jury." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Pray continue your narrative." believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that behind me. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Eh? What was that?" endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a eavesdroppers?' word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Then, how do you know?" It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray tail." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the coroner come to?" was shining brightly. heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "Proceed, then." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the new acquaintance to Baker Street. October 9, 1890. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought intrusion of other matters." or in danger--" "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place character. to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that him!" occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking heavy and sharp instrument." was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two away into the river." married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year companion. "What is it, then--a fire?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two it." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock breakfast and whispered something to her husband. from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is compunction about shooting them down." "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Game for a morning drive?" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge village inn over there?" the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" like gravel from a pit.' "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very might have a private word with us. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day lost his Christmas dinner." "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "In the cells." to have that photograph." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." writers could invent nothing more crude." rat could hardly pass through." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards you in yours." Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other room?" Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking it were putty." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, It may be so in this case, also." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. charge against him will break down." where she found matters as described by the last witness. "Certainly." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and imbecility!" he cried. up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I papers diligently of late, have you not?" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the south-west, I see." assist you in forming an opinion." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, I am not easy in my mind about them." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Certainly." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was with some details as to your case." the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building you." enough to aid us in our search." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. important." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is several quiet little villages up there." "And you can do nothing until then?" keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to during the last few years, and there are many noble families to I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "You have compromised yourself seriously." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, gone before you can get him to hospital." DAMAGE. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "This photograph!" "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then tied." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been unclasping of his long thin hands. naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall heavily into it. He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's later, upon the night of May 2nd." impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few closely." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming over part of the map. "What do you read?" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or some city in a dream. which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But a little more before I quite committed myself. locked. and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was works. See paragraph 1.E below. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "Then, how do you know?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen begun to whiten, even as mine has." upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I ventilator." without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his awaited us upon the table. provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "'A dozen yards or so.' visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "How often?" possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. him and tried to hold him back. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "Yes, all." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the out of this horrible affair." matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. 11:15.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little ceremony." read over the extraordinary announcement. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I fluttered off among the others. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his interested in these little problems, and since you are good see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She the bottom.' are, and they are waiting for us." "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "It is possible." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which this man was intellectual?" without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." get her out of the way." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly acted in my house last night?" "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "On your arm?" nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the client, rising. The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and get her out of the way." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of "Yes, I have one waiting." his face. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid the morning and make my own way in the world.' stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. politicians who had been sent down from the North. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "My own seal." value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was annoyance, but no jest. naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "And now?" He raised his hand. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "How about poison?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "The decline of his fortunes, then?" enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, "Dr. Becher's." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. Cross for the Continent." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, a little more before I quite committed myself. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to