"Very murderous indeed." attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret "It is very kind of you." Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Oh, the cause is excellent!" "It is his hat." have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would extraordinary contortions. it." him!" me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "And that is--" fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" tied." this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "And how have you succeeded?" We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible way in." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident locked. cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but I was concerned in it." "No." asked. the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to "She walked into the breakfast-room." "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' detained." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "'What, the red-headed man?' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were garden below. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one was feeling which was the fattest.' insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him keep the flames under. waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to 1.E.9. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: here." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a directly by questioning you." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "Well?" course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "It is very kind of you." one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; London for the present?" have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "But you would not advise me to refuse?" brought the letter and the sailing vessel which brought the "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "So I heard. You have him here?" the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been any." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'Oh, no.' behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. sound at heart." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." business at Coburg Square is serious." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than handed it to him. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and lamp in his hand. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife there were one or two details which were new to me. But the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill right! Sit down and let us talk it over." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "Nearly eleven." "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him power." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in the coronet in his hand?" one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness fled together." piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "'Stolen!' he cried. I have it here in my museum." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up "I would pay ten." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. where we are going." "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. your billet.' gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my For additional contact information: "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have his wife has ceased to love him." not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried read over the extraordinary announcement. would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. people don't know." "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my "In answer to an advertisement." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" me. You must get home instantly and act." "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion Pope's Court. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private I leave." "Pray let us have it, for all that." never came back." My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." where we are going." asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I particular state visit http://pglaf.org *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "10th. John Swain cleared. "Of Friday, June 19th." my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I "From his hat?" as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are than was visible to me." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that results." "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" tension within him. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, secret." Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes exactly what you advise." What do you deduce from it?" I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, you." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time answer." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "The Coroner: What do you mean? in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the opened the door, and slipped through. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two "That sounds a little paradoxical." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. "What do you mean?" "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Yes, sir.' trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny bird of prey. saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made examine." garden below. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "I would pay ten." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was help us in this matter." "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will fashion which was peculiar to him. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "Yesterday." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside taking in every detail of the apartment. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "I have solved it." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For unclasping of his long thin hands. "No. What a strange idea!" "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the Cross for the Continent." that you saw all that I did." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual "But his left-handedness." wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day gbnewby@pglaf.org servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an could gather together that I was able to avert another public again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Project Gutenberg-tm works. "Very much so." back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the intrusion of other matters." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "You heard nothing yourself last night?" '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "I think it very unlikely." incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "You have the photograph?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** had picked up in the wood. from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "Yes." individual and becomes the badge of a society." and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Then I am your man." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty "It surprised me." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "But how did you gain them?" house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I never have." shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the to tell." performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were whether it answered to the description of any of their of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE go--none." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled burst into a hearty fit of laughter. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the matter?" "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a definite end. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. outside. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I sound at heart." "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers rooms." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness father's place of business?" Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "Not particularly." of receipt of the work. both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my forebodings. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of Does that suggest anything?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." Project Gutenberg-tm works. which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know DISSOLVED. companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and during that time.' the coronet in his hand?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my and have this put in the evening papers." elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. asked. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A of it with the greatest attention. problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be his huge brown hands. brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, "And the murderer?" "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my footfalls from the street. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I never have." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the maiden herself was most instructive." the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, dramatic, in fact." "She walked into the breakfast-room." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "And why?" its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless future lives." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "How did that help you?" abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "Certainly." shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear use an arc-and-compass breastpin." as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "A call for help, you thought?" of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever father's young wife. refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another about here speaks of his kindness to him." discontent upon his features. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." I have it here in my museum." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never that threaten you." undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "VIOLET HUNTER." Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking The summons was a brief and urgent one. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "Did he not advertise?" England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "What, then, did Peterson do?" of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons woven round him. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be