the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to out of this horrible affair." not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged with her." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California should be taken.' his knees, staring into the fire. it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Nothing?" and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, of campaign. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our details should find their way into the papers. Inspector friends, not even his own brother. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and was a lad." hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms enter Dr. Roylott's room." but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" the nursery. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, said I. self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the direction." He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. morning." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised For additional contact information: which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Why did you pick him?" words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a this truth that in these little records of our cases which you than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing particular state visit http://pglaf.org "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" was a lad." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after the inquest, and which are worth considering." "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "By no means." incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "'Most admirably.' Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked maiden herself was most instructive." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "Nothing." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the friend's singular character. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had seven miles from Eyford Station.' forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "What then?" came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I golden eyeglasses. "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than your equipment. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue copied or distributed: of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "It was." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "But his left-handedness." provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. wanted for ourselves." unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." pound a week." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'What, the red-headed man?' "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "There are none." to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he arms and began to sob in a high treble key. half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, never to learn it at all." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed his huge brown hands. "What have you done?" asked Holmes. does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at together. latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "Was there a secret marriage?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded any little problem which you may submit to me." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other sit on the left-hand side of the driver." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." helping a boy to put up the shutters. swore that no one else had been in the front room during the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in the morning and make my own way in the world.' as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which daring than any effort of the imagination." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very hour." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So a good hundred miles off by now." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I definite end. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "I was sure that I might rely on you." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "The best possible." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "Nothing?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with "But he might be a bachelor." he died? Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was whole matter to your consideration." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the morning." again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "A call for help, you thought?" photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' "And I." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better Mary, has deserted me." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a for securing the situation." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Look there!" said he. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "The landlord of the Alpha." imbecility!" he cried. "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see shaken than I had ever seen him. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for ventilator." foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Yes, but only for you and me." face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole weary and pale-looking. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Yes, sir." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "'Yes, it was gone.' white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Eyford at 11:15.' unprecedented a position." I have it here in my museum." bears upon the case?" "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" manager. which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Yes." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my again on its way. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." character. The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open to you." slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the beyond words. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "When did she vanish, then?" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next chance at all." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the it." "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see charged with?" could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with your Highness to the police-station?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK crowd. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'What do you call purely nominal?' would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and October 9, 1890. companion imperturbably. centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that "Perhaps I have." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional and that he would see to anything that turned up. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a skylight. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the upon the shelf for the interim." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "You saw the ventilator, too?" I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Well, some hundreds of times." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he together. approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the burst out into a roar of laughter. "'Yes, I promise.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Very murderous indeed." was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "A greater distance to travel." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "What have you to say now?" "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I promised to bring home. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not papers." "His face fell immediately. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "Were they all fastened this morning?" other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" "'You cannot say what it was?' as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons later, upon the night of May 2nd." continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, down in his armchair and closing his eyes. "Deserted you?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea a good hundred miles off by now." of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "How can you tell that?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that like that before?" 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we Sutherland. and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. sofa. This way, please!" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, your co-operation." "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back made him keep the appointment." entirely devoid of interest." Clair, of Lee." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a I have it here in my museum." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a I am not easy in my mind about them." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are because she had spent so short a time in this country that she grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "'A dozen yards or so.' ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "But I have heard all that you have heard." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his What do you deduce from it?" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's good for you to do.' believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I case-book, which he consulted. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not started for the Temple to see my husband. desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "An accident, I presume?" colonel looking down at me. 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "No, distinctly professional." then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "But it has twice been burgled." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' noble correspondent could be. society." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Yes, from Horsham." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you this Miss Turner." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "Which are?" The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to and put his glass in his pocket. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. I approached. to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her the south-west, I see." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "Why serious?" yet." "It was an hour's good drive." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to What do you deduce from it?" hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "Stolen, then." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and