money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End outside. entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Never." surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the there is a decided draught." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble really the only notable feature about the thing." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He about here speaks of his kindness to him." desk. contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe know that the truth is known." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I companion. knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes meant it for the best. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with weapon." may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "And what did you learn from him?" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must bachelor.' this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "We have tried and failed." "How did that help you?" province." "And what then?" very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "One?" "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too are windows in it, of course?" ways including including checks, online payments and credit card allusion to a rat. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I she to prove their authenticity?" any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small eat it." "Then you may be so with me." the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "'You cannot say what it was?' Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your your room." appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of it." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary would then never go into court at all." eavesdroppers?' "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and DAMAGE. Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Your French gold?" anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, security.' George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love clanging. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, fatally injured? bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a nothing of it?" "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't respectable self." furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "Tired-looking or fresh?" plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." writers could invent nothing more crude." interested in these little problems, and since you are good Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon is so. I know all about McCarthy." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so ashen face. words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "Whose house is it?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I away in different directions, and I went off to make my own she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Leave Paddington by the 11:15." Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "There is the writing." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. name is different." with her." Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "By all means." terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. both be extremely obliged.' is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good you in your example." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "Then the page we have seen--" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's out." "What! You do not mean bodies?" me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches kind enough to tell me what I should do." "I never have." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were said Mr. Holder. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones excitement. Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "In San Francisco, a year ago." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of through." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and down. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "'Yes, it was gone.' been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in "I fear not." from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through delighted to hear it," he said. "How about poison?" grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I intrusion of other matters." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "'Ten to two.' "Well." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same any more." of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is reach." "But of what society?" scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Married! When?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were you understand?" such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the which are rolled in Rotterdam." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become "Well, some hundreds of times." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "What, then?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Where, indeed?" "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her galvanised. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in results." sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat present." residence of the great financier. "But your client--" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, shag which I had seen upon the previous night. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the in darkness. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily gives a meaning to it." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for and shall probably return to London by the evening train." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he nothing with him." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and the general public were present, then?" "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me Foundation ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." it were putty." "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately prepare for the new role I have to play." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons sake, don't!" "It certainly sounds feasible." "Was he the only applicant?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "'In my own bureau.' upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, bonnet, and went out." these bleak autumnal evenings." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it directors, with the result that you have seen." side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "I assure you that I am in your hands." the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if bears upon the case?" have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "BALLARAT." "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "Yes." relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly and the whole place is in a blaze." in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "How long did she speak to this Alice?" papers diligently of late, have you not?" could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told papers on the sundial.'" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I whatever might befall. on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his http://gutenberg.net/license). I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were garden below. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, bill, which interests me deeply." shall not find me ungrateful." the best of training." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Stolen." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, quickly through a disagreeable task. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions girl said." watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at had this final quarrel? me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "How did you deduce the select?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until you in yours." instincts rose up against that laugh. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Street. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS me upon any point which I do not make clear." his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred followed. is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as only touch the interest." to-night's adventure." "Were they all fastened this morning?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire back alive. I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Yes." sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I see many objections to any such theory." "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in will find little credit to be gained out of this case." strength in the others." "Yes." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and yourselves in at night?" for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he client, rising. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to Eyford at 11:15.' They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can voice, changing her seat as requested. morning." When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Get out!" said he. dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried.