lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. your co-operation." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "Ten will be early enough." questioning and rather startled gaze. I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who without a word or a look. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of we went to search for him, face downward in a little certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on chemical work which was so dear to him. "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner cup of tea. yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I be best to do. meant it for the best. details." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated "I don't say that. Perhaps." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There Eyford at 11:15.' of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "When did it break out?" "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Absolutely none." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn do.' bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing to-night?" I asked. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I careless servant girl?" informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." out of this horrible affair." might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. and your relations to her." window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to me, and I could not think that his explanation of the he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." your co-operation." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed IS opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at you." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which III. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause very old mansion. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "It was." "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, went to the Alpha were town bred." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "'Never,' said I. "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! is worth.' is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank "'What are you doing there?' he asked. betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more promised to bring home. heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg was used.' second window is the one that I jumped from." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "You are hungry," I remarked. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project man. sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their dramatic, in fact." "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said himself. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly weigh very heavily upon my conscience." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "That you are never beaten." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "So I am. Very much so." "None." true." Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly You want to know what became of those geese?" the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, crowd. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "A greater distance to travel." think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" tassel actually lying upon the pillow. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' some mystery and the punishment of some crime." case before our client came into the room." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I have my revolver," said I. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, public press." some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "It was." without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to London for the present?" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all hour?' cause to be." "No." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some purpose of examination. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." burst out into a roar of laughter. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I you?' have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It paper in the air. "My Mary? Impossible!" infinite languor in his face. Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' charge against him will break down." has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the if only as a check to my own memory." drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "The vanishing of the lady." "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of said he. at home. watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "Yes." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good of campaign. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary lectures into a series of tales." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "And your father? Did you tell him?" assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened train from Paddington which would bring you there at about "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Farm upon the left." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "I am armed." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "'Most admirably.' which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Yes." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "By train from Waterloo." "Proceed, then." there!' fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, "Now, then, what's the last entry?" absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when children over to America with him, so that I found myself without active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my I think that I could be of assistance to you." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge could go. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst copied or distributed: present." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the strength in the others." difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "No." My friend smiled. stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds one which it was hard to resist. impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "You have compromised yourself seriously." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the heavily into it. I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how get the tickets." beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her was not a bird to be seen there. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a had a long day." overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay for and were ordered to this address. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "We have tried and failed." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to pierced for earrings?" that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "Yes." naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, "Certainly." "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "It goes to the housekeeper's room." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up status with the IRS. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" coroner's jury." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." goes." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, breakfast?" reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a any." taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "Why did you beat the pavement?" red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down in my life." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "'Ten to two.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, the morning and make my own way in the world.' for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the not within a twentieth part of the market price." doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Nothing." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, invisible to me," I remarked. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal never to learn it at all." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would particular state visit http://pglaf.org observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "'Never.' Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this hereditary King of Bohemia." slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, maiden herself was most instructive." that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "'What do you call purely nominal?' came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "In what way?" asked Holmes. the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "That is easily got." He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to already been minutely examined." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Where did you address your letters, then?" attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "'Which dealer's?' question. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed heavily into it. habit of advancing money.' particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "If I can be of use." exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this eat it." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that read over the extraordinary announcement. not, dad?" she asked. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't is now desirous of getting those letters back." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the sound at heart." "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to