give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "I assure you that I am in your hands." the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined "I will, Miss Turner." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all speckled band?" "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' bachelor.' over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "None." at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "And did you observe any change in her then?" him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before until night should bring an explanation. so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "ARAT," I read. ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'Yes, I promise.' all that?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Then you may be so with me." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." "By no means." here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his the King without delay." than was visible to me." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to used to be." from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" him!" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "'Most admirably.' the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem him!" "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I shall be delighted." against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in passage and a tap at the door. to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the go--none." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, as noiselessly as she had come. effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "'I shall certainly be there.' down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I am armed." is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I absorbing." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted more solid." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set that you saw all that I did." "What! Had he lost his wife?" of receipt of the work. this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Entirely." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, forecastle of an emigrant ship. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but joking. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see Dr. Gregory B. Newby to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most you in yours." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was on re-entering her father's house?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously my former friend and companion. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar there when the Rucastles went away." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "Precisely." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must brain must have something in it." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Absolutely?" which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as confronted him. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at any little problem which you may submit to me." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the details should find their way into the papers. Inspector of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very presented more singular features than that which was associated "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out there." "No?" I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Did your wife hear all this?" "Did your wife hear all this?" surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was present." posted to-day." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You way in everything. I. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "Perhaps I have." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his she to prove their authenticity?" "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where Sholtos." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Chief Executive and Director assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where populous neighbourhood." that I can to serve you." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler that you saw all that I did." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "Who was the criminal, then?" "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It Eyford." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the wife's character?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you Lee, in the county of Kent." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window never to learn it at all." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, with the outside air!" http://gutenberg.net/license). have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Of what?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. visitors." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his as the one I chose?' darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as be best to do. business." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "And why?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales "'How far from the body?' be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the at my remark. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary a good hundred miles off by now." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it "On Monday." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but "Well, but China?" insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was o'clock is it?" comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went photograph?" deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation is worth.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "The best possible." sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it "You heard nothing yourself last night?" England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in a very precise fashion." For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated your room." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" meanly of me." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." that, and I came down." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the kindly on the shoulder. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. stalked out of the room. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to least a most suspicious remark." "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this said I. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use you in yours." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this nothing with him." my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "It is very kind of you." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is strode off upon his way. several quiet little villages up there." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, enter into my head. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "In the cells." explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "May I see it?" to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever forebodings. hour?' "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may some place of shelter and let the county police know what has astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and relief. nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made photograph a cabinet?" "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial "Ample." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a sufficient punishment." "What will you do, then?" "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Sholtos." over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know which our visitor detailed to us. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be one which it was hard to resist. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very "But it has twice been burgled." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless read it out to me." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy was feeling which was the fattest.' a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the security.' no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very and a shock of very red hair. woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some outside. smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for village inn over there?" rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If touch that coronet?' grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he forbidden door. an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been and wait." How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we has little to do with my story." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in instituted." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard all-comprehensive glances. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that words came to my lips. left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him power." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life had died away into the silence from which it rose. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a have an American origin." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "No, I had a dozen." strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "Why, what do you mean?" drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and papers on the sundial.'" Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner true." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" one or two very singular points about this room. For example, the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies beg that you will break it off." so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "And you don't know his address?" to tell." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "His face fell immediately. 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be disturbance in my wife." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and made his money." "I will try. What is it?" posted to-day." compunction about shooting them down." o'clock is it?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. room. A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "Absolutely?" "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their "I should wish to." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "My opinion is in no way altered." right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in "It surprised me." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when could gather together that I was able to avert another public and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest I shall communicate with you." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his nonsense.' "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving have accepted such a situation. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Now, then, what's the last entry?" which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no