the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe have one." "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a pressing in one house as in another. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "'It is locked up,' I answered. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, speckled band?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look out of this horrible affair." set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "And I say east," said my patient. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, "My last client of the sort was a king." tell them apart.' said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I may have an influence upon European history." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to remarked. voice. position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place are windows in it, of course?" was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS is," said he presently: on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A trying to your nerves." chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to "Your presence might be invaluable." "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or "Did your wife hear all this?" knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "What!" he roared. had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out criminal. We have already had experience of such." other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, go from here to the Strand." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of if only as a check to my own memory." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink should be taken.' "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug weapon." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual side. "Ample." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots I nodded to show that I had heard. smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. written. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "I don't say that. Perhaps." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to For additional contact information: interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "What steps will you take?" I asked. and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in money should be paid at once.' to some other building. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in have had none more fantastic than this." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "'What, the red-headed man?' "Yes, at the mines." straightened it out again. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He know what is wrong with it.' the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to test if we have an answer to our advertisement." believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being future lives." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from would then never go into court at all." Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a child?' pound a week." She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, it." of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and British peeress.'" to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a gone. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." 1.F. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some something of him before." building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he pressing in one house as in another. not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Witness: I must still refuse. where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, you came in." the side-table." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "But how could you guess what the motive was?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "My dear fellow, is it possible you do not see how strongly it Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their manager. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue It may be so in this case, also." door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, 'please.'" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal photograph a cabinet?" tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which himself to hunt down. "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better details." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, "One of his hands." walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "Then I shall certainly come." a very grave face. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but of your young ladies.' baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "What then?" "My last client of the sort was a king." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), problems help me to do so." "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am man. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I shall most certainly do so." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' of this gang." "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." the very morning of the wedding." to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "The best possible." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "And sit in the dark?" this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his money should be paid at once.' "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "I think that it is very probable." politicians who had been sent down from the North. hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "And what did you learn from him?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. your most interesting statement." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. are, I think, all that we need." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." come either from the window or the door. My attention was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "What?" merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And I say east," said my patient. it means?" "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he province." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "You are all wrong." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered very old mansion. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I cannot as yet see any connection." "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I was a lad." she used." go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a hour?' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of British peeress.'" ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Always." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Yes, that is the Crown." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as Leadenhall Street--and--" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of bell. Holmes whistled. down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather giving me time to thank him. "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place mysterious business." and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried people in all walks of life. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You will not go there first?" compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had straighten it?" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. again on its way. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you delirious. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" power." down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' noble correspondent could be. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should "I cannot tell." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Murdered?" carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching "Why, it's a dummy," said he. as the one I chose?' thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the business at Coburg Square is serious." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "What is it?" Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a power." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I am sure." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "And on what day did he meet his death?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Of Friday, June 19th." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked this unhappy family?" observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "What, then, did Peterson do?" The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows crime. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I friends, not even his own brother. "Yes." years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security use an arc-and-compass breastpin." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "You know me, then?" "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it knowledge of the world." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and in this way: hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more