stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master anything to a woman, for she would have her way." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away The police have openly confessed that they can at present make traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the crackling voice. have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "I will, Miss Turner." half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against drove away. chambers. "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the floor. reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I closing the door. of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. my little problems." "ARAT," I read. mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been round and wave him away like that.' grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the McCarthy's innocence. "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Yes." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He very old mansion. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, opportunities to fix the problem. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, relief. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us putting in the horse. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is From what you have told me I think that it is possible that saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. "We were both in the photograph." before, for it was considerably after midnight. after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You think so, too?" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he all?" he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not it. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "How long did she speak to this Alice?" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. are, I think, all that we need." direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "How do you know, then?" closely." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as completely overtopped every other consideration that we both in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the money should be paid at once.' my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the married her." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. certainly do as you advise." assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "It is possible." Chief Executive and Director *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far lumber-room." shaken than I had ever seen him. telegram would bring me down to your help." know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try DISSOLVED. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. "Pray tell us what has happened to you." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one useful material for showing traces. The double line a little toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his "'Certainly not. But why?' of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall upon the sideboard." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "What steps will you take?" I asked. vanished into the darkness. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the Watson," he said cordially. across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while companion imperturbably. doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other indeed happy." "And how?" is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." "A client, then?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason hair?' and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and shaken than I had ever seen him. part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a into the room. Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. village inn over there?" IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB Holmes' thin, eager face. it means?" one's self under obligations.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a long narrative. before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the a little more before I quite committed myself. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." late." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. soul! here is her carriage at the door." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the question you as to those details which seem to me to be most mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that wanted for ourselves." As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign forebodings. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very My friend smiled. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I answered that I had not. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, the very morning of the wedding." the loss of it. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and unprecedented a position." Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "'As governess?' it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Yes." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my been anything against him. He had for years been known as a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his yards of it?' "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving for and were ordered to this address. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "Certainly, madam." unclasping of his long thin hands. cigars in their mouths. and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "Pray do so." your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several rose-bushes. For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "No legal papers or certificates?" exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled because she had spent so short a time in this country that she My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally back alive. "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going I took the paper from him and read as follows: game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "An enemy?" freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. to-night?' where Mr. Fordham shows you.' appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of him." weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: arrested. You then--" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried 'I should be able to look after that for you.' drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "I have hopes." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low maiden herself was most instructive." "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual drawing your inferences." "An accident, I presume?" a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Have you good authority for what you say?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and you." said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are of note-paper. It read in this fashion: flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, better in every way that they should make their position a little away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a searched, without anything being found which could incriminate opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "No bad?" opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you he. "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an you came in." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 was used.' and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I straighten it?" landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he which it had come upon my father." was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and woman." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he out of this horrible affair." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew "Certainly." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "But who is he?" case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." appeared upon the scene." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "I cannot imagine." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to late." with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "Pray let us have it, for all that." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms place of silver." generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "What will you say?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "One of his hands." may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." writer." off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 the King without delay." approach us with offers to donate. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, me where it went to?" nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the ways including including checks, online payments and credit card sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That have been better. It is all right." thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "It goes to the housekeeper's room." but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must Young McCarthy must be got off, however." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my http://www.gutenberg.net resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my this poor creature." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had in the hope of finding them." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by was not a bird to be seen there. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' hereditary King of Bohemia." police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger not come at once?" to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your "The best possible." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official of his shoulders. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "And from a noble client?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the