used to be." from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, stammered. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the IS asked with his eyes open. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from towards the blaze. Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the that "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." seen the man in the road." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? chair. of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so fishes. "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "I warn you that they are very incomplete." more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. appeal." from the brougham. "10th. John Swain cleared. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and upon the shelf for the interim." wedding?" "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, "No." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when of Mr. Rucastle's." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at prison!" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." lips." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much eavesdroppers?' my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about "I fear not." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "The Coroner: What do you mean? greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "But what is it you wish?" and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then he might have called to you?" said he, "my real name is James Ryder." unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does than to us. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I am sure." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "No." "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting strength in the others." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, just ask you whether you had heard it.' hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich trying to your nerves." "I am sure." have I gained?" very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "How can you tell that?" however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. status with the IRS. important." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the date of his supposed suicide." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as "Nothing." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, "But his left-handedness." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of "Yes." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "'About the same.' order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "I shall most certainly do so." the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." "By train from Waterloo." have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and particular state visit http://pglaf.org really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't letters?" so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great arms and began to sob in a high treble key. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. his huge brown hands. "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. enter Dr. Roylott's room." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter may have an influence upon European history." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. Mrs. Toller serenely. right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the shall use the carriage to-night." room had already been engaged for us. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "But how could you guess what the motive was?" The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even my friend's incisive reasoning. "And why?" "And the murderer?" something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such never came back." ceremony." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her this poor creature." approach us with offers to donate. examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings I am not easy in my mind about them." hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed were new raised from a basin. "I guessed as much." leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the will not take me long to tell. "Then the page we have seen--" delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "I know where it is." her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded soul! here is her carriage at the door." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "In what way?" asked Holmes. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "Then I am your man." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the sooner or later she must fall a victim. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can your troubles." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "My dear Holmes!" fat-encircled eyes. with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must detained." "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "And how have you succeeded?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. security.' slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I But Holmes shook his head gravely. have not had my rubber." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "Witness: I must still refuse. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." coroner's jury." "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us words came to my lips. matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his laugh and put his lips to my ear. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round woven round him. "Thank you. Pray proceed." "At the wedding breakfast." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us your only hope of safety." "I fear not." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was would apply.' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." envelope. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Pray let us have it, for all that." know that the truth is known." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. vanished into the darkness. which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. business in the City. She little knew what. something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang situation." the so-precious time, but come!' shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have them present such singular features as the strange train of back to my heart. air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is tell me that you intended to go into harness." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very unprofitable." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain dead, shall be safe with us." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 noting anything else of interest. I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria followed. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes, that is the Crown." her also." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it she slowly sank and died without having recovered her he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It how narrow had been my escape. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Watson," he said cordially. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "My stepfather's business papers." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes The police have openly confessed that they can at present make the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and roused himself from his reverie. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return everything which you would wish to know." later, upon the night of May 2nd." "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There beyond words. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your Pope's Court. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he "'Quite sure, dad.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. cheerful." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of skylight. I took the paper from him and read as follows: unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy begun to whiten, even as mine has." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, http://www.gutenberg.net Dr. Gregory B. Newby had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was I think that I could be of assistance to you." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "And is that all?" her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Holmes' thin, eager face. My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "What do you mean?" another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Then the page we have seen--" effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with to-night?' a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. matter." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it the house with me." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the you, my dear young lady?' vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady "It is to him that this trophy belongs." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "That you are never beaten." "That sounds a little paradoxical." glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was mad--insane." "Yes." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic together. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend