"I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "Precisely." could gather together that I was able to avert another public for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "You saw the ventilator, too?" did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "'Is purely nominal.' the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than records." corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. this remarkable episode. creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "But what will you do?" there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." "It may not come to that," said Holmes. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Where, then, is my wife?" few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, "She told me to ask you." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "A call for help, you thought?" Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said what do you think they found in the pockets?" secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he goes." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," of a light. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may help us in this matter." "Certainly." He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without in a friendly supper." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "Well, but China?" "Not I." exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have and the church but not where the lady lived." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "Yes, all." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You forget that I know nothing about it." first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "So it appears." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "No, finished." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is sneer upon his pale face. once more. particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw go--none." answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. clang of the bell. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves with you alone." "By no means." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon where we are going." not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "Well, it is a possible supposition." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At peculiar to him. rose-bushes. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "There are none." "You have compromised yourself seriously." because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See whatever might befall. singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "So I heard. You have him here?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my for and were ordered to this address. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and answered with a sidelong glance. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "I am all attention, madam." writers could invent nothing more crude." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "It is true that I have been generally successful." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he learned something! Where are the gems?" home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed Gutenberg-tm License. sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "You have carte blanche." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when narrative." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would which we had just quitted. insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had had this final quarrel? young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a our word." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the his wife has ceased to love him." her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I there were so many in the whole country as were brought together at home. "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "It is possible." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence out." when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in I approached. tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's photograph?" with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from II. line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "Thank you. Pray proceed." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." at once, for I have only half an hour." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Perhaps I have." ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards his eyes and forehead. "I am following you closely," I answered. against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I was concerned in it." such person." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "That is easily got." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with coat-tails." "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it voice. "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, ago." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Ha! you find it so?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have of receipt of the work. "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, quite distinctive." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and What do you deduce from it?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all the stones. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a depend upon your compliance." "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him instincts rose up against that laugh. individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I is a common subject for conversation. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "That also I could fathom." with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of have not had my rubber." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Yes." province." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who fact, we may call it conclusive." someone who had been in Australia." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. will not take me long to tell. Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. this Miss Turner." "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my yet." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight presented more singular features than that which was associated said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." followed. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in stepfather?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "BALLARAT." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine I nodded to show that I had heard. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard several quiet little villages up there." small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "I warn you that they are very incomplete." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might affair. the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which locked. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Serpentine Avenue. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked developed." "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." flock.' got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "But what will you do?" "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And shall not find me ungrateful." "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were nothing of it?" man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." at my remark. off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Certainly." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came foresight and the moral retrogression?" entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "Nothing?" fear." "Why did you beat the pavement?" property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "But your client--" strong and stiff." "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Yes." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an "'Oh, no.' was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "Pray let us have it, for all that." never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. thin legs towards the fire. round with crates and massive boxes. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal just called myself is not exactly my own." and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Yes, he did." works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your in this way: often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "What then?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered ready to-morrow?' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: persecution?" wife's character?" "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. definite end. "It is true that I have been generally successful." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind absolutely follow my advice in every respect." generous with you in money matters.' to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended strong reason behind." I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "On Monday." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round salesman. "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "That was it, sir." "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed business?" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the case before our client came into the room." a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small matters immensely." of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. woman who has had her own way to make in the world. opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is cheerful." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "And now?" He raised his hand. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to You can understand that this register and diary may implicate gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or