has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa a room. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity our word." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to secret." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, once more to my work. in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was details should find their way into the papers. Inspector his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "Is he quiet?" what is your own theory as to what took place?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and with some details as to your case." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a wanted for ourselves." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. business came to an end." "I am all attention, madam." leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "'And what salary do you ask?' of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy Street. "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "But she will refuse." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to to me. brain must have something in it." murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no business came to an end." "How did that help you?" one of the states of the Union." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Nothing?" cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. narrative." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on redistribution. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible hurried by. "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own and your relations to her." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "If so, much may have happened between." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the upon a handsome competence. suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the iron safe, which he closed upon it. its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "My dear Holmes!" Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Have you her photograph?" this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the Farm upon the left." "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her happened." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. had this final quarrel? "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his fat-encircled eyes. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." as this. Pray let me have the details." smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the coronet in his hands?" "Deserted you?" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "You forget that I know nothing about it." bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; envelope. there when the Rucastles went away." abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an respectable self." his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "None. Neville wrote those words." in his hands." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than For additional contact information: position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed thought that she would have been so carried away." with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." to-morrow." trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. of receipt of the work. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him I think that I could be of assistance to you." even of instruction." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of returning from some small jollification and was making his way "She showed me, as I told you she would." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we cigars in the box." "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." occupations.' "I would give my fortune to have them back." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "Not social, then?" shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked telegram would bring me down to your help." indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, during that time.' Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his six. Come in!" has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the crowd. nothing with him." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little who was a member of your goose club." black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I cannot say that I have." to a more successful conclusion." soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And how did you verify them?" and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. been shamefully used." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "'Tell me all about it,' said I. directly by questioning you." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular it." aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he developed." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "I say that I have solved it." access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the I nodded to show that I had heard. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by stood on the top of it. "'Ample.' floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would been lifted and conveyed somewhere." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, "Quite so." "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both It may be so in this case, also." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "Precisely so. But how--" "Perhaps we may make them less so." Countess of Morcar's?" his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very congratulate you again." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money of his shoulders. Edgeware Road. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "Was she in good spirits?" "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." and inquire as to the address." his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure you for a few hours?" "Never to return." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Now, then, what's the last entry?" spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the province." "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since one of the states of the Union." "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Why serious?" quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with attention." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "About a month then." ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "How did that help you?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in to tackle the facts." prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind salesman. "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, and capable of preserving a secret.' building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "You horrify me!" X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR "Well." with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There I leave." "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. me what he had done with the three missing stones. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook you in your example." This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting "'I have heard so.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in to-night?' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in entirely devoid of interest." "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Where, then?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a knowledge of the world." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "10th. John Swain cleared. thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Nearly eleven." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I "Yes." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "But what is it you wish?" temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "In which, sir?" "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "Deserted you?" something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. http://www.gutenberg.net mystery may be cleared along those lines." Project Gutenberg-tm works. to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my returned to France?" some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of the coroner come to?" One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. this unhappy family?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Not particularly." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes." de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant answer." prison!" Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "I am following you closely," I answered. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all night.' said he. "Where, then, is my wife?" cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second in the dead of the night?' so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the questioning and rather startled gaze. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET fluttered off among the others. from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in his face which made him a very different person to the round, The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at to affect your life." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot