Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. money should be paid at once.' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No "Yes, sir." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She to take care of herself." views." stood on the top of it. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of down in his armchair and closing his eyes. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one letters?" indeed which he could not unravel. fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, silent! Oh, he will be silent!' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" one's self under obligations.' whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. man. gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day "Her father is very rich?" With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had advice." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "What shall I do?" lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do he bowed and left the room without another word. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "'And what are they worth?' I asked. with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "But how will you look?" Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the said Mr. Holder. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the article?" and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a breakfast?" "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and "You don't mind breaking the law?" this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Then how many are there?" playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, writing, and yet I know it well." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." persecution?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "And how in the world did you find them?" very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of breakfast." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward the bed, and you in that chair." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking mystery may be cleared along those lines." form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent was used.' fat-encircled eyes. "But not more so than I to find you." outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "Who by?" "What I expected to see." mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Not in the least." though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a call for it in person on Monday morning.' found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "That you are never beaten." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "An accident, I presume?" could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me whatever might befall. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "I am following you closely," I answered. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." hour?' my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third into the bag, and made for the door. room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he "No more words. Get out!" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As to tell." his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "Murdered?" and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'What, the red-headed man?' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now not interfere, come what may. You understand?" fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of and the colonel ushered me in. "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "But how?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "I will try. What is it?" "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. held up the lantern and gazed about him. possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The all-comprehensive glances. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Yes, sir." "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and into her hand at the door and which lured her within their giving me time to thank him. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, one's self under obligations.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" read over the extraordinary announcement. home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to eavesdroppers?' comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "I have seen the police." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase sofa. This way, please!" Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me redistribution. "'Certainly not.' of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in late." "And Irene Adler?" me. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." have I gained?" "It is true that I have been generally successful." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest "Indeed! Whose, then?" "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, one's self under obligations.' "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I was a perfect sample of the class. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': ill-usage at the hands of fortune. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and to his chemical studies. pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. not within a twentieth part of the market price." distance from the station, and there we found the young lady that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from about. "You would not think 1000 pounds apiece an excessive sum for the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no envelope. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't you found me to-night--and running through the front room she at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "Entirely." of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "Your French gold?" "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "Yes, all." have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "His face fell immediately. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him already referred to. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of conceal it?" out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "'Where to?' more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of *** START: FULL LICENSE *** said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key it were putty." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Pray be precise as to details," said he. or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible that you can jump it.' however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were vague figure huddled up in the darkness. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I am armed." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite to that open window." burst out into a roar of laughter. get her out of the way." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean "My photograph." "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "I have seen the police." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across it," said the inspector with a grin. "Well, I have been their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "I cannot imagine." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I she has been waylaid. There has been no result." Project Gutenberg-tm works. crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any get the tickets." father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "None." "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is God! What an exposure! What can I do?" given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as correct than the official force." train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a quite distinctive." had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I carriage. It was a chestnut." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed very morning of my second wedding." '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Ample." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was http://gutenberg.net/license). consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. I held the little printed slip to the light. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle "I cannot tell." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: the coronet at all injured?" her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." kind enough to tell me what I should do." "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a politicians who had been sent down from the North. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and together. initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may IS idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just colonel looking down at me. impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those lamp. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "There is the writing." most interesting one." Holmes. "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried I nodded to show that I had heard. days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, triumphant cloud from his cigarette. unprofitable." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the "Nothing?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to floor. black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. newspaper selections." whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double never to learn it at all." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he "Who by?" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "Yes, he did." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her been with you?" if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of "Did you observe the colour?" writers could invent nothing more crude." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked experiences." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other closing the door. was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "He disappeared so suddenly." suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had bore every mark of being an average commonplace British Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "It came here." was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging drawing your inferences." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and