the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced mystery may be cleared along those lines." "The King of Scandinavia." general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean geese which you supplied to the Alpha." will be renamed. of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I cannot imagine." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Ah, but I was recommended to you." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my arms and began to sob in a high treble key. PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary delighted to hear it," he said. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than spark where all is dark to me." "One of his hands." finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in to change my dress. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Imitated." he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! at a side door. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which sound at heart." young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the James Windibank. Voilà tout!" however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady cost them two and thirty pounds." "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before not, dad?" she asked. the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it 1.F. these bleak autumnal evenings." outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." wedding?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "Of Friday, June 19th." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Of Friday, June 19th." occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not again, where I was soon asleep. kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and there is a decided draught." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, call for protection in the marriage market, for the present towards the blaze. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a know that the truth is known." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came bill, which interests me deeply." shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "What, then?" commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down towards the blaze. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the it were putty." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and it means?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It within hail.' was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "And leave your case unfinished?" "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "I will, Miss Turner." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it me, and I could not think that his explanation of the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. "When did it break out?" "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical breakfast and whispered something to her husband. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place me what he had done with the three missing stones. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "'And what salary do you ask?' "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the suspect him." bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left observed. indiscretion." "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. charge against him will break down." "And sit in the dark?" though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a quick march!" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune better in every way that they should make their position a little laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, figure." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage present." It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "He might." signal between you and your father? "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Not in the least." He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his weapon." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the despair." crime. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of this as likely?" knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian matter over." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled of a light. strength of mind to control. delirious. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the events, Mr. Windibank!" paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year disappearance of the bride.'" journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the cigars in their mouths. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or posted to-day." "One of his hands." "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally copied or distributed: nice household for a young lady." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to His name is Francis Prosper." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "What, then, did Peterson do?" "I will get her to show me." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I him to be an active member of the medical profession." is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the weary and pale-looking. "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our the house with me." each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return any." told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. speckled band?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, then?" with you alone." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you gentleman's clothes. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at and looked back. "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "I would give my fortune to have them back." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "Very truly yours, "On the contrary, this is the right side." part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, "How did he come?" has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the "What shall I do?" noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a train.' whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, most interesting one." are, and they are waiting for us." "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of together. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the "Oh, the cause is excellent!" seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a your sleep?' without a word or a look. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should already referred to. to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." happened." which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "The knees of his trousers." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are "But his left-handedness." tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Holmes' thin, eager face. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and means taking possession of that which another person has a prior sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've dramatic, in fact." of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the one as in the other." occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." might have a private word with us. "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, carried out of court." "Won't it ring?" "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was questionable one." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "So I have heard." What did you do, then? You made some small job in my lady's either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two "No." set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible and I shall be with you presently." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 towards the blaze. moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste electronic works clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire this man was intellectual?" ordinary clothes on?" out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser second window is the one that I jumped from." hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "What I expected to see." with you?" He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "Do you know him?" all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and status with the IRS. located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the less than 26s. 4d. whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling second window is the one that I jumped from." heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." him. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an note?" demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' are, and they are waiting for us." are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "My photograph." carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a true." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as respectable self." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own when you have done it." you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "No. His orders were to stay in the house." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they hard-headed British jury." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could