having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You upon a handsome competence. low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking the coronet at all injured?" his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed highroad, where all traces were lost. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as a room. "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. to miss it." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a to-night?" I asked. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger annoyance, but no jest. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "Frequently." yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled tell him that I know him to be innocent." that the gas is not laid on in his house?" chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the time." something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a before the coroner and the police-court." Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "You think that he is dead?" green of the new foliage. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of served to weaken the effect. "ARAT," I read. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of this gang." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "But I am all in the dark." stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "That also I could fathom." "What, then?" I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered all?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight just ask you whether you had heard it.' and the church but not where the lady lived." "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of British peeress.'" "My stepfather's business papers." furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I very morning of my second wedding." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "What of the rat, then?" "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "Certainly." "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, depend upon your compliance." down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "You horrify me." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Not him." that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the should be so warm over such a trifle." success. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "And how?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his you in your example." open." "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A she used." "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Then I shall certainly come." for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' he. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying I shall communicate with you." life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "That is it on the dressing-table." old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and no precautions can guard against." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by down from London to inquire more deeply into it." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "Why, what do you mean?" Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "Quite so." really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "Nothing." "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house the matter?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" copied or distributed: table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "Yes, all." he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill chambers. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a asked. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his public press." confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you miles off. monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me entirely devoid of interest." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots Watson, with a week's accumulation of dust upon your hat, and of your young ladies.' the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the with some details as to your case." minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "The murder was done with it." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no intimate personal affairs in this public manner." "You think that he is dead?" you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "No legal papers or certificates?" "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general few hundred pounds.' "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, locked." "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the be best to do. companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question other lovers by making love himself." "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. begun to whiten, even as mine has." hereditary King of Bohemia." "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Which are?" much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in observed. bonnet, and went out." a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "But his left-handedness." "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be was feeling which was the fattest.' "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Because he was handy and would come cheap." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "I say it is." his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "And Irene Adler?" "I promise," said Holmes. "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." definite end. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his his eyes and forehead. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact thought that she would have been so carried away." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "About a month then." "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." there has been an enclosure here!" prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I crime. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of dear old homesteads?" I held the little printed slip to the light. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "What is it, then--a fire?" and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every there when the Rucastles went away." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch weapon." "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "Will you bet, then?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, himself to tell his story. all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small until night should bring an explanation. with frightened eyes at his accuser. enough to aid us in our search." he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, direction." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all the very morning of the wedding." pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "None." humiliation." ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a which our visitor detailed to us. of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom which was all perfectly true. "My opinion is in no way altered." a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly the station." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain were new raised from a basin. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "One?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall lamp in his hand. half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "It is to him that this trophy belongs." for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "She showed me, as I told you she would." you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "But she will refuse." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your Countess of Morcar's?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the then?" "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me geese which you supplied to the Alpha." right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Well, some hundreds of times." conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "My dear Holmes!" already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black furiously. look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all will find little credit to be gained out of this case." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated the general public were present, then?" have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and address. hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "I am following you closely," I answered. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will are windows in it, of course?" "But of what society?" ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said this truth that in these little records of our cases which you "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain 'please.'" have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, could gather together that I was able to avert another public me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from you found me to-night--and running through the front room she morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and held up the lantern and gazed about him. young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt "It was." stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort meant it for the best. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the "I was afraid that you were engaged." Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to invisible to me," I remarked. and no precautions can guard against." my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "What then?" fact, we may call it conclusive." indeed happy." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done me have 200 pounds?' "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must