just called myself is not exactly my own." strength of mind to control. "'Certainly,' I answered. when you have done it." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet nice household for a young lady." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had You want to know what became of those geese?" his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "What of the rat, then?" were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came him nearly every evening." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate means taking possession of that which another person has a prior I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of paper in the air. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the nonsense.' I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis it means?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front in his hands." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Only as much as we can deduce." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Pray be precise as to details," said he. past. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less himself. "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said that?' drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, of a light. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague will not take me long to tell. "How can you tell that?" How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened not use it unless it is absolutely needed." arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing room. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, our word." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be than was visible to me." "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, crime." hardly wander." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for digesting their breakfasts at home." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through it right.' indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall I approached. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to mystery." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "'Certainly,' I answered. silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. you came in." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Never to return." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from past. will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to Dr. Gregory B. Newby and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came in the port of London." before the coroner and the police-court." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, could not account in any way for the presence of the missing my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to your troubles." he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you may have an influence upon European history." that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until tension within him. you in your example." anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, "A call for help, you thought?" "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of existence." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through You want to know what became of those geese?" across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "It is very kind of you." tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite bachelor.' "Pray do so." her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "Witness: I must still refuse. north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, delighted to hear it," he said. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "Did your wife hear all this?" Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began envelope. darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "I will, Miss Turner." you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. chance." the south-west, I see." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do rooms." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with this truth that in these little records of our cases which you retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the "Then you may be so with me." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the night.' you understand?" looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Yes." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the will he say when he returns?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "No, finished." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out delirious. possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "How often?" again on its way. across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "How on earth--" "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he as this. Pray let me have the details." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. to Leatherhead. only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "None." "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire garden below. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob is so. I know all about McCarthy." "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "Yes." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "'I am sure that I do not know.' the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to was a lad." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been over his head with a sweet womanly caress. providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered call for it in person on Monday morning.' Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no have established a very serious case against the son of the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Who by?" creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "I don't believe it." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "And on what day did he meet his death?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'I shall certainly be there.' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid "Yes, sir." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John for its centre. body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the straightened it out again. "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and "Her father is very rich?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I am not easy in my mind about them." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was gone. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed IS I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking their singular warning or token before them when starting upon male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. was lame." Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they delighted to hear it," he said. some city in a dream. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered gone. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous arms and began to sob in a high treble key. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Very. But will he see it?" "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may behind me. daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He her also." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked you want, then?' house for five minutes.' of note-paper. It read in this fashion: through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while "Oh, the cause is excellent!" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "Was the window open?" "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' weapon." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the tassel actually lying upon the pillow. contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking papers." it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Pray be precise as to details," said he. chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "Thank you. And your address?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Well, some hundreds of times." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and "That is easily got." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "What I expected to see." of campaign. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "'Where could I find him?' For additional contact information: happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly Doctor, of the paper and the date." the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Nor running a chance of arrest?" was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." to Leatherhead. my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell call the police, let the police find what they can.' put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "But the mystery?" "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is her also." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I don't believe it." "One of the highest in England." "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter read it out to me." particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet the Red-headed League." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like window when the police appeared." key turn in the lock." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and and the colonel ushered me in. pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly me. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a