have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if it. self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a to where he stood hid behind the curtain. "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "To ruin me." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well late!' is acting for the best. "Not particularly." walking." "But to whom?" key turn in the lock." step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "And I to find an enemy." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat other means.' and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me beg that you will break it off." "Certainly, madam." "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "It is half-past ten now." "By train from Waterloo." was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "That is possible." a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. miles off. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "If I can be of use." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "And what then?" "'Very good.' "Stolen." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it 11:15.' congratulate you again." "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody late!' three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." an introduction to him?" now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never case before our client came into the room." really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set "Yes, but only for you and me." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "You horrify me!" values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who really the only notable feature about the thing." of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in been deceived." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "By all means." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I it." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong pictures, libraries, or plate. surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Where, indeed?" "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "Then I am your man." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in address. an introduction to him?" you." Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "Will you bet, then?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful upon the white wrist. "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Why did you pick him?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "So I have heard." some terrible trap for her." "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "It is a murder, then?" incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "'And what salary do you ask?' would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw and capable of preserving a secret.' "What, then?" seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal side. "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his vanished into the darkness. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to the house with me." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after gentleman's clothes. knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a instincts rose up against that laugh. of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for is," said he presently: creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "One of his hands." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. to tackle the facts." "Dark enough and sinister enough." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. seem to you to be relevant or not." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an http://gutenberg.net/license). us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" a good hundred miles off by now." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "I cannot imagine." zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a "Very truly yours, and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him business." drove away. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "Yes." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond look upon these things in a different way." at my remark. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "What of the rat, then?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for how narrow had been my escape. the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which grasp, he hurried from the room. home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make one's self under obligations.' the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign certainly not very gracious." "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently pity, because in other respects you would really have done very here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another lost his Christmas dinner." has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts could not account in any way for the presence of the missing fled together." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the gentleman's clothes. business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing not within a twentieth part of the market price." doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "Never." exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I him to be an active member of the medical profession." springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take the inner apartment." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face over part of the map. "What do you read?" "'I am sure that I do not know.' take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, danger is over." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he papers." "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness this as likely?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "It must be recovered." singular points about the case. What did the police think of the are, and they are waiting for us." upon a handsome competence. understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! forebodings. "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore remarked. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and DAMAGE. which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the not as remarkable as your advertisement." bell. Holmes whistled. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen presented more singular features than that which was associated hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project and wait." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in is," said he presently: in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to was it brought him the coronet? companion imperturbably. you?' "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "And you don't know his address?" "The Cedars?" to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, were unconscious?" make me his representative both with the servants and with the these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." I shall continue with my miserable story. "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary second." "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." definite end. character. rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "You know me, then?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be I held the little printed slip to the light. preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "She told me to ask you." row." and the church but not where the lady lived." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." at my own good fortune. Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could straightened it out again. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my "Then how many are there?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into second." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage into the room. yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "You have it, sir, just as it happened." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "I think it very unlikely." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen "Yesterday." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "Where, indeed?" "I will try. What is it?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "But what harm can there be in that?" thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, had this final quarrel? lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that do.' until night should bring an explanation. "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "That also I could fathom." through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "I am sure." nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many *** START: FULL LICENSE *** afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the works. and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their as he folded up the epistle. same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the ventilator." frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact danger is over." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "'Yes, I promise.' "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Do you go out much in society?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? yards of it?' pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the http://gutenberg.net/license). admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "What! Had he lost his wife?" first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, upon a handsome competence. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. appeared upon the scene." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." right! Sit down and let us talk it over." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was call the police, let the police find what they can.' my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock were new raised from a basin. you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. wife's character?" smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry awaited us upon the table. "A greater distance to travel." "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and I took the paper from him and read as follows: For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant.