of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, was it brought him the coronet? "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she was a lad." "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall fear." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you that I am arrested." up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "But the mystery?" character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the "But how?" relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some and a shock of very red hair. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "An accident, I presume?" "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." with you?" "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper and I shall be with you presently." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian ran thus: set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of of the efforts of the United States government and of the better have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to interest. They are important, you understand, without being that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from a room. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once Stoke Moran." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "That is unusual in a young girl." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Not him." "'Why that?' I asks. a suggestive one." usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed "And you don't know his address?" depend upon my doing so.' on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk their singular warning or token before them when starting upon here and I will read it to you: leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers hereditary King of Bohemia." "What! a murderous attack?" Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered The King stared at him in amazement. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had best detective that ever lived. developed." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to young Openshaw's." there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting narrative." my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, acquaintance?" Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought was used.' journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "I am to be neutral?" "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." "The doctor?" hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, brain must have something in it." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If article?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "On your arm?" "My dear Holmes!" arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "Her father is very rich?" in his hands." gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and trying to your nerves." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "Have you it here?" see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "I will do it." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are whereabouts. out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Certainly." vanished into the darkness. or in danger--" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" letters?" "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "And it is--" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the Friday. Was it to be in church?" "No, distinctly professional." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had and the whole place is in a blaze." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "I will try. What is it?" passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "I have hopes." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. fattened it expressly for you.' Munro.' impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which detained." village inn over there?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "'Where to?' "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "If I can be of use." routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "Yes, sir." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "What do you mean?" "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall have one." to Stoke Moran this day. I want to see whether the objections are "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out your sleep?' with the outside air!" hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "He might." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the mystery may be cleared along those lines." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing have been better. It is all right." St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the the Red-headed League." the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "It was." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old matter over." who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the matter." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." been shamefully used." "It was." however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San During two years I have had three consultations and one small observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you some water from a caraffe. since then to throw any light upon what became of him." his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Which are?" him. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one away to you." had this final quarrel? "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my awkward doing business with an alias." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I right! Sit down and let us talk it over." "'Where could I find him?' The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at question. the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "On Monday." "'Certainly not.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for secret." reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Did you become engaged then?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Not him." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "She told me to ask you." "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet intimate personal affairs in this public manner." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, happened." edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and if she died from some sudden fright." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Is purely nominal.' official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we you in yours." "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that "What?" again." steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." weighed down with some great anxiety. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "My own seal." "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "And when will you call?" "Who by?" and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, awaited us upon the table. from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' Does that suggest anything?" the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; "No legal papers or certificates?" hurried by. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" enter into my head. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** one's self under obligations.' from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he it. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate the running down." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Yes." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she seem to you to be relevant or not." "Yes, that is the Crown." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet I held the little printed slip to the light. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the singular points about the case. What did the police think of the if only as a check to my own memory." shall not find me ungrateful." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some views." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." me what he had done with the three missing stones. reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "By no means." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "I have my revolver," said I. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. he bowed and left the room without another word. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "What shall I do?" Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "You are all wrong." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very a good hundred miles off by now." imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just she slowly sank and died without having recovered her "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "'It is locked up,' I answered. "And why?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to more solid." steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so in him." that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been "'Yes, it was gone.' "Do you know him?" "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. companion imperturbably. for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "And you don't know his address?" sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want past. of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned investigation." so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a married her." whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." standing smiling on the door-step. the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last mystery." "It is possible." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police my friend's incisive reasoning. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "Has he come with you to-night?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "What shall I do?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed is worth.' called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "And when will you call?" and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. went to the Alpha were town bred." black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass