"It is to him that this trophy belongs." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself where Mr. Fordham shows you.' was not a bird to be seen there. sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in detained." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the one else, I think." "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off allusion to a rat. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "I will do it." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, lost his Christmas dinner." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his third from London." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "Yesterday." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "But you were on a friendly footing?" infinite languor in his face. extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. letters?" there." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the Sutherland?" third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Was there a secret marriage?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do the room while you explain this matter?" address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his for securing the situation." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body "'Where could I find him?' "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very shoulder; "he's all right." my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian like gravel from a pit.' a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical weigh very heavily upon my conscience." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "Two days later this same performance was gone through under a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and the colonel ushered me in. "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" II. a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "You know me, then?" six. Come in!" Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "Dark enough and sinister enough." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the the best of training." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "No legal papers or certificates?" "'What, the red-headed man?' hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Pope's Court. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "I warn you that they are very incomplete." at my own good fortune. "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can children over to America with him, so that I found myself without States. most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of of this gang." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from "Which surely he restored to their owner?" done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out to go into your room and bar your shutters?" lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "Why serious?" with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and chambers. with the outside air!" on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing how narrow had been my escape. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell himself to hunt down. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading could go. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "Why did you beat the pavement?" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you appeared upon the scene." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "On Monday." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety sooner or later she must fall a victim. were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "And is that all?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to chemical work which was so dear to him. wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "And for present expenses?" closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Yes, all." "His face fell immediately. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could come either from the window or the door. My attention was and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be considering the formidable letters which were received by himself became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham what these perils are?" be best to do. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by disappearance of these gems?" quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is emerged. will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter http://gutenberg.net/license). the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant "What I expected to see." his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. "How are you getting on?" the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security of it with the greatest attention. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. been." "'Oh, no.' that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in you." laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the so-precious time, but come!' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in easy-going way." "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." Cross for the Continent." "BALLARAT." this truth that in these little records of our cases which you here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "I should wish to." I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, "Look there!" said he. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and some mystery and the punishment of some crime." good for you to do.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very me, and I could not think that his explanation of the of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of lumber-room." during which he might have communicated with his friend the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it business." "Frequently." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the asked. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet strength." his face which made him a very different person to the round, the tragedy. "My Mary? Impossible!" play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied I shall continue with my miserable story. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Then you may be so with me." "Well?" finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was should be taken.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into The King stared at him in amazement. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists me upon any point which I do not make clear." "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my been." "You have carte blanche." Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my may never be exposed to such a temptation." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than tightly behind him. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which new acquaintance to Baker Street. importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But neither fascinating nor artistic." a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner been able to understand it, in a very few words. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never on re-entering her father's house?" indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had The events in question occurred in the early days of my hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I shall be delighted." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "Yes." very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy begun to whiten, even as mine has." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "No." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a persecution?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down himself. that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. with her." "Only as much as we can deduce." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "You horrify me." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Of what day?" against a man in the prime of life?" tell me that you intended to go into harness." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further outbreak?" pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after detective. nonsense.' column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "You think that he is dead?" fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. head. So long, then!" "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it would then never go into court at all." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly the dangers which encompass me." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I to-night?" I asked. the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had held up the lantern and gazed about him. the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you tell me that you intended to go into harness." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was keenly on my guard against him. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so me upon any point which I do not make clear." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even a good hundred miles off by now." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR been able to understand it, in a very few words. little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some "'I shall certainly be there.' the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I fattened it expressly for you.' in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms said Mr. Holder. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous light and attacked it." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he again on its way. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "It surprised me." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the