at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Edgeware Road. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a see me here to avoid scandal." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go bell. Holmes whistled. London for the present?" array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his wife's character?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was impression behind it as though a window had gently closed "No, I think that I'll take it." made him keep the appointment." about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial gives a meaning to it." affection." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began and effective." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought business at Coburg Square is serious." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter http://gutenberg.net/license). safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the Red-headed League." "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow strength." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "Witness: Nothing definite. "I came to find a friend." hereditary King of Bohemia." "My stepfather's business papers." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." even so self-evident a thing as that." platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "You have a clue?" entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as advice." "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." him!" a very grave face. good for you to do.' traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The he. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek rat could hardly pass through." inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Upon what point?" girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a http://www.gutenberg.net it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "But how will you look?" "Proceed, then." upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, see a sister of mine apply for." the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes "I have a cab outside." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." dead, shall be safe with us." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to tell him that I know him to be innocent." upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." you in yours." his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." sooner or later she must fall a victim. little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If disturbance in my wife." explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the chill to my heart. our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding tension within him. From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. such person." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the "My dear Holmes!" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel and a shock of very red hair. round and wave him away like that.' wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of was keenly on my guard against him. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "Where, indeed?" WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "'I should be happy to advance it without further parley from my to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were call for protection in the marriage market, for the present hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. room?" The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have them, and came down just as you departed. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 that you saw all that I did." "Very truly yours, my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I read it out to me." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her business at Coburg Square is serious." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for Holmes. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "My own seal." introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon that I may have something better before very many minutes are father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional there were so many in the whole country as were brought together for the market.' "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the must compliment you." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, one's self under obligations.' we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that nonsense.' Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the "Was your sister dressed?" "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." I shall communicate with you." "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "I cannot imagine." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of prison!" he died? a suggestive one." you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, fish-monger and a tide-waiter." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white "Dirty?" copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point considering the formidable letters which were received by himself known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers success. laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his said I. "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "He might." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo leaning back in his chair. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was "She showed me, as I told you she would." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "That is also quite modern," said the lady. this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what or other trace. But how on earth--" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The official police." and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming horse could go." my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a there when the Rucastles went away." "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. "Precisely so. But how--" promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a him!" "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a "Oh, the cause is excellent!" I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of death." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." "Do you know him?" "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. not come at once?" Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "Yes, from Horsham." should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both "'Stolen!' he cried. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the spare." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Serpentine Avenue. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom "'Certainly,' I answered. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the where she found matters as described by the last witness. but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to think, you have already met." me. Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It appointment with me for six o'clock?" "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in not personally threatened." or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that point in the dark hollow of his hand. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the coronet at all injured?" "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features "His face fell immediately. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and no precautions can guard against." bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point Pope's Court. I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "By no means." to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. "May I see it?" the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my everything which you would wish to know." "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "Have you her photograph?" and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." sentimental considerations in the background which would induce I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is "I cannot imagine." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible of receipt of the work. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "It was an hour's good drive." "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me she used." "What do you make of that, Watson?" not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, as the one I chose?' and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, Pope's Court. on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "What have you to say now?" dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to a light-house. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "That also I could fathom." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Mary, has deserted me." broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "But how will you look?" we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few key turn in the lock." breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian very old mansion. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a back to my heart. "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he at home. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide that I am arrested." to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always are, and they are waiting for us." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do that I may have something better before very many minutes are following enigmatical notices: