"Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for read it out to me." stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a McCarthy." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is so far?" "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows tell him that I know him to be innocent." posted to-day." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he passage and a tap at the door. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "At half-wages, in fact." them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at just called myself is not exactly my own." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." if I call to-morrow?" of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Not in a good cause." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "And why in hopes?" reach." I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "'I shall certainly be there.' the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a one which it was hard to resist. very old mansion. deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to prepare for the new role I have to play." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. bled considerably." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to she to prove their authenticity?" which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "Never." me. You must get home instantly and act." "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there fluttered off among the others. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, or other trace. But how on earth--" the stable lane now." has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "Where is it, then?" bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with grasp, he hurried from the room. passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "I will not look." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "What shall I do?" more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "But what is it you wish?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little derbies." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It "There are none." sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep My friend smiled. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Seven!" I answered. Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "You are all wrong." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the to a light-house. metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very wedding?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a the armchair which I pushed forward for him. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. "'Yes.' They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop waste of energy." and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer answer." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking me where it went to?" earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a here and I will read it to you: "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband made his money." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "And now?" He raised his hand. confronted him. Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker my friend's incisive reasoning. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. outside. served to weaken the effect. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident whether it answered to the description of any of their Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "I should like to see him very much." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his another vacancy open which entitles a member of the League to a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on III. beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "Not in the least." public press." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated considering the formidable letters which were received by himself observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide "I am all attention, madam." Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. "What will you say?" defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." infinite languor in his face. his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his charge against him will break down." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "You heard nothing yourself last night?" The King stared at him in amazement. his cane at the bell-pull. whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "Did you become engaged then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very forbidden door. very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his strength of mind to control. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "Then you may be so with me." worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a believe that I should never have any practice at all. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute were unconscious?" "Were they all fastened this morning?" "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and been able to understand it, in a very few words. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project Chief Executive and Director "Precisely." lids now and glanced across at his visitor. offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great what these perils are?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, crackling voice. long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "It was." recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and "And how did you find out?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "But to whom?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." "'Which dealer's?' see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. anything to do with the matter?" a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "On Monday." "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "He disappeared so suddenly." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "You have but to name it." very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "I would pay ten." was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay had no one to advise her at such a crisis." manager. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a likely to be some crony of the landlady's." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and his forehead." woman who has had her own way to make in the world. strong and stiff." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "None." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey or other trace. But how on earth--" Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain "How often?" yourselves in at night?" "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" of your young ladies.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. so far?" black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. who was a member of your goose club." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite jewels which you have stolen?' and a shock of very red hair. there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are him to go away.' expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted strength." say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if what I may call a really hard day's work." near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Your sister is dead, then?" sake, don't!" to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a strange features which were associated with the two crimes which forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began fled together." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off do." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to to me. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the train.' reach." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as pierced for earrings?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." developed." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Where to?' yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "9th. McCauley cleared. little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just you give your casting vote to?" seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight behind me. which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "But how could you guess what the motive was?" "I saw her in conversation with her maid." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." cost them two and thirty pounds." rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I have not had my rubber." and I shall be with you presently." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "What I expected to see." "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. three of the beryls in it, was missing. and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, Have you good authority for what you say?" gbnewby@pglaf.org "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would appeared upon the scene." bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into "Yes, but only for you and me." "'Is purely nominal.' Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" thought that she would have been so carried away." white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your works. See paragraph 1.E below. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent The police have openly confessed that they can at present make scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but electronic works as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." you." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." chair. noting anything else of interest. Stoke Moran." would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away very old mansion. "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. "Where, indeed?" came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "One of his hands." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his