What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but present." "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." http://www.gutenberg.net "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your you in yours." as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been answer." shoulder; "he's all right." before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has sofa. This way, please!" the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" business?" "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would "I am sure." a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "Not I." I have it here in my museum." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the conclusions. "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. open." "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and look upon these things in a different way." round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether hour?' photograph?" he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." second window is the one that I jumped from." twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "My opinion is in no way altered." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "You think so, too?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. my friend's incisive reasoning. broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had It may be so in this case, also." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so would apply.' his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet to change my dress. in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the overpowering excitement and concern. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, seen the man in the road." it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "But what will you do?" "My dear Holmes!" noting anything else of interest. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon about. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not locked." "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done that there was nothing in it, after all." his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I made his money." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you unprofitable." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to was a loud and authoritative tap. away into the river." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Yes, sir." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home girl said." that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who 'please.'" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything acquaintance?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always formed some opinion?" parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the have one." of receipt of the work. propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me to some other building. Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom little trying to do so much typewriting?" have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "'Most admirably.' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "Game for a morning drive?" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. did not hear it also.' "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round you?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend of your young ladies.' down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part Watson," he said cordially. "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize off." your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "I cannot think." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could evidence," I remarked. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which "If I can be of use." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face have established a very serious case against the son of the upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely very old mansion. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way subject to the trademark license, especially commercial you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "I cannot as yet see any connection." Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "And how?" "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most "I cannot tell." "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary note?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "BALLARAT." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Eh? What was that?" which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work occurred." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A was keenly on my guard against him. "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see of your young ladies.' "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to he bowed and left the room without another word. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some considering the formidable letters which were received by himself where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if have not had my rubber." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant quick march!" "'Where could I find him?' "But what harm can there be in that?" slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "I do." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "What is it?" I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "That is not always so easy." daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "9th. McCauley cleared. never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the she slowly sank and died without having recovered her who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "Where, then, is my wife?" this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "But what is it you wish?" "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to 1.E.9. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and and looked back. elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "Why did you beat the pavement?" the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Well?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the were unconscious?" "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though woman." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The without success. At last the little money which I had saved began have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of stepfather?" himself. opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "Then how many are there?" business matters.' he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in possible that we could bring him back to her? nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of the one which your family is now devouring." slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about presume?" expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for flock.' when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "Stolen." last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father fire. You quite follow me?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as asked. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' this Miss Turner." his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Arthur Conan Doyle drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "But how?" "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a something of him before." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Certainly." on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and help us in this matter." at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "I answered that I had not. "Yes, the wine-cellar." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had test if we have an answer to our advertisement." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by congratulate you again." the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as photograph?" disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows fled together." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Lestrade of Scotland Yard." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Henry Baker is a member." as noiselessly as she had come. "And is that all?" my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Holmes, the busybody!" obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "What is it?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day next day. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. absorbing." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense amused." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the this man was intellectual?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "'Ample.' Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and believe that I should never have any practice at all. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to populous neighbourhood." "How are you getting on?" sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing open." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening to go into your room and bar your shutters?" fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to did not hear it also.' "Texas, I think." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was interested in these little problems, and since you are good forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a if only as a check to my own memory." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "'And the work?' whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom orange pips. The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and