"'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "Was your sister dressed?" "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had detective. that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "No bad?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right fat-encircled eyes. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did should be taken.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY that?' lips." gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New his face. shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of good for you to do.' following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, and all of them with the keenest interest. "And you can do nothing until then?" green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "About a month then." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a of them has the shutters up.' instituted." lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! deduce something from that?" strength." written. "Not particularly." only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been "But you were on a friendly footing?" arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard about. hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the best detective that ever lived. "It is very kind of you." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and yourselves in at night?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from front of me. heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy quickly through a disagreeable task. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind you do it in twenty minutes!' planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "And Irene Adler?" when you have done it." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the room?" "No. What a strange idea!" What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves good for you to do.' "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other should be so warm over such a trifle." subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always situation." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less manager. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will weapon." "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, one of the states of the Union." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Did your wife hear all this?" from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his like that before?" manager. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "But his left-handedness." whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and written, and locked the door of the office after me. it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without Leave Paddington by the 11:15." knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, noting anything else of interest. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in maid will bring up your coffee." your co-operation." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to upon a handsome competence. fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But light and attacked it." "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Very. But will he see it?" The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that tightly behind him. "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at call for it in person on Monday morning.' suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend eat it." "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Very much so." also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "Dirty?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black door?" this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Yes, it would be as well." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. characteristics, but those are the more obvious." sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester what these perils are?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained bearing upon the case." "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the at home. week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that disturbance in my wife." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "Only as much as we can deduce." details." persecution?" your Highness to the police-station?" and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began to affect your life." stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when overpowering excitement and concern. to-night's adventure." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do in the dead of the night?' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gbnewby@pglaf.org "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "Why, what do you mean?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, the bottom.' laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." speckled band?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "Witness: I must still refuse. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her I shall communicate with you." "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. "And leave your case unfinished?" that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and redistribution. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! have got?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is way: me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact lost nothing by them." stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a fish-monger and a tide-waiter." than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. into the bag, and made for the door. "Then I can wait in the next room." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "None. Neville wrote those words." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few pierced for earrings?" From what you have told me I think that it is possible that money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "It is possible." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his case-book, which he consulted. "Nothing." Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "I don't say that. Perhaps." man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an clanging. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting the coroner come to?" we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "'And what are they worth?' I asked. of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep to where he stood hid behind the curtain. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my "He slept on the premises." Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied against a man in the prime of life?" chill to my heart. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "The best possible." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. was shining brightly. me what he had done with the three missing stones. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily how narrow had been my escape. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, papers diligently of late, have you not?" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his bears upon the case?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were man. I know him from the photograph." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "You horrify me." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who already referred to. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "No. What a strange idea!" "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the salesman. that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: papers diligently of late, have you not?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "If so, much may have happened between." "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly opened a pocket-book and took out a note. are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, figure." adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "And how did you verify them?" that I can to serve you." him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "I am in hopes that she does." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, when you have done it." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "I should be immensely obliged to you." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through case before our client came into the room." weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and furiously. did not hear it also.' reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of get her out of the way." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving bled considerably." was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Was he the only applicant?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she along the entire front of the house, with three long windows galvanised. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with quick march!" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "Here?" his cane at the bell-pull. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the galvanised. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my this truth that in these little records of our cases which you was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes, sir." hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. have one." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has was a lad." "Yes, I have one waiting." "But he might be a bachelor." of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, fatally injured? Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the wedding?" them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "My Mary? Impossible!" himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money