volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years "Yes, from Horsham." "Quite so. She has her freedom." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been guilty one." tell me that you intended to go into harness." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "Perhaps we may make them less so." intrusion of other matters." married her." "None." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." this unhappy family?" light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no round and wave him away like that.' part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was it with his own hands." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "It certainly sounds feasible." pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "And the cigar-holder?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be fat-encircled eyes. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good entirely devoid of interest." "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my shoulder; "he's all right." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they union?" and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for question you as to those details which seem to me to be most music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said wanted for ourselves." however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "It is solved." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted ran thus: "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." did not hear it also.' when you have done it." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining companion imperturbably. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat pity, because in other respects you would really have done very however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "I would pay ten." "You forget that I know nothing about it." now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Sutherland?" of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to conceal it?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' the roots. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and morning." said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to affect your life." question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever the warnings." beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the signal between you and your father? "What is it, then--a fire?" little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the coronet at all injured?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had there is a decided draught." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the "How did that help you?" perplexity from it to my illustrious client. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the you in your example." he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in copied or distributed: "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "What, then?" follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "That is unusual in a young girl." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in wife's character?" "Why did you pick him?" Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "'Never.' sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "Very. But will he see it?" of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we for its centre. home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and "A confidential servant?" "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that footfalls from the street. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if License. You must require such a user to return or But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said conversation I have gathered that they have been married about address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or pierced for earrings?" travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "'Not at all. I only doubt--' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." fatally injured? "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have direction." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his without success. At last the little money which I had saved began crime." the date of his supposed suicide." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over in my life." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' entirely lost his self-respect." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less girl said." all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set delirious. simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "No. What a strange idea!" shall not find me ungrateful." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally read over the extraordinary announcement. trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for my former friend and companion. it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger arrested. You then--" jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as flock.' The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can it." which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "By train from Waterloo." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock few hundred pounds.' as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't go--none." "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his begin with, and I had not got mine yet." clang of the bell. collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, IS "And for present expenses?" overpowering excitement and concern. as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "It is half-past ten now." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought back into the street. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the strode off upon his way. to his chemical studies. was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "He is dead," cried several voices. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day felt the room to be a little close.' "It is his hat." of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the true." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with be best to do. world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "Not yet." "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "I will try. What is it?" you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much constraint." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "At half-wages, in fact." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between "It is to him that this trophy belongs." to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "No bad?" which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "I don't say that. Perhaps." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "Of what day?" abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of electronic works "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the yards of it?' in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" do.' Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and waste of energy." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were http://www.gutenberg.net money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, kind enough to tell me what I should do." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to "You have but to name it." "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I shall be delighted." me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must horse could go." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "How on earth--" was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I delirious. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. to have been novel and of interest." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior is now desirous of getting those letters back." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would in the port of London." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "No. His orders were to stay in the house." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a locked. order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while in his power. But Holmes shook his head gravely. room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. Holmes' thin, eager face. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a unclasping of his long thin hands. have established a very serious case against the son of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon if only as a check to my own memory." to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. everything which you would wish to know." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What office?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "And for present expenses?" that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, a suggestive one." new acquaintance to Baker Street. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so money should be paid at once.' business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our I leave." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the article?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the compunction about shooting them down." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND The summons was a brief and urgent one. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into and laid it on the table. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in round and wave him away like that.' combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned stammered. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off