see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, you, my dear young lady?' had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' I shall communicate with you." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to the bottom.' where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no must be when I saw the door open.' knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm a room. and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very train from Paddington which would bring you there at about web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "His face fell immediately. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Was the window open?" "You have a clue?" upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'Quite sure, dad.' the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. families. Now for the facts. thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "My stepfather's business papers." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "The best possible." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are hand, madam?" "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "But she could not love him." which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we name is different." speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "How did he come?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "That is not always so easy." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that answer." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know should be so warm over such a trifle." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the the child." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "None." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay you understand?" "I cannot as yet see any connection." cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "Very well, sir. And this stone?" believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too along the entire front of the house, with three long windows smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." meant." "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of points to suicide?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "No." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock "Won't it ring?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the was used.' always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Well?" felt the room to be a little close.' from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "In heaven's name, what for?" "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" long narrative. at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "What?" the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "'Is 4 pounds a week.' rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his in my life." man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. "No." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "I guessed as much." and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I strode off upon his way. analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel four million human beings all jostling each other within the considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall at my remark. "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" an introduction to him?" like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Holmes." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the highly," said Holmes. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were were occasionally allowed to pay short visits at this lady's dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. "'What do you call purely nominal?' is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'Certainly not. But why?' the room while you explain this matter?" The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. served to weaken the effect. should be so warm over such a trifle." lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "'Ten to two.' "And leave your case unfinished?" yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the States. "Where did you address your letters, then?" He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I was certainly surprised to find you there." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in strength." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, wall." homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, you do it in twenty minutes!' laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is it. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." been with you?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he "Awake, Watson?" he asked. ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an possible that we could bring him back to her? which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." the tragedy. But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Then I shall certainly come." ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS "I guessed as much." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from nothing with him." You can understand that this register and diary may implicate frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an most important business. It is probable that he will be away all and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and front of me. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of what is your own theory as to what took place?" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the me have 200 pounds?' peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An over his head with a sweet womanly caress. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "'What then?' I asked. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our companion imperturbably. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "An accident, I presume?" "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in galvanised. anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a him. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of clang of the bell. "But the mystery?" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and looked back. you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "He might." o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" bird I ate is country bred." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the something of him before." "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes six. Come in!" of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of province." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "The rest you will leave in our hands." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" weary and pale-looking. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the very morning of the wedding." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front "It must be recovered." first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "At what time?" "It is very clear." his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "If so, much may have happened between." small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the little adventures." tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on closely." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little But Holmes shook his head gravely. of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, quite distinctive." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of you want, then?' the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "'In my own bureau.' his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when a monotonous occupation." police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were shoulder. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to Surrey." to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which weapon." "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the morning and make my own way in the world.' moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "Holmes, the busybody!" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "Certainly, madam." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "What then?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. sneer upon his pale face. trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I important." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting maiden herself was most instructive." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. all-comprehensive glances. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you is," said he presently: correct than the official force." "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what arrested. You then--" undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I to tell." "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." acquaintance?" The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all retorted upon me, and I on you." by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't "One of the highest in England." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "No. What a strange idea!" a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one who was a member of your goose club." wedding?" like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the the address that was given us in the advertisement. allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried "'Certainly not.' to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." have been better. It is all right." had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went cigars in the box." article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian vault. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "And how have you succeeded?" why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly again on its way. half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs it? Did I buy the geese off you?"