here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the these bleak autumnal evenings." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "How can you tell that?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "You saw the ventilator, too?" to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at "It is very clear." if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "My last client of the sort was a king." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "On your arm?" 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For happened." "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in will he say when he returns?" everything which you would wish to know." wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so are, and they are waiting for us." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "Nothing?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a morning." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. manager. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the one of the states of the Union." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday with some details as to your case." as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "The doctor?" Young McCarthy must be got off, however." "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was "'And what salary do you ask?' acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Come in!" said he. the address that was given us in the advertisement. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow and files of the old papers, following the future career of every past. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made questionable one." "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and your co-operation." "Certainly, madam." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No later, upon the night of May 2nd." "It was an hour's good drive." the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: begun to whiten, even as mine has." Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money gone. "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies searched, without anything being found which could incriminate was shining brightly. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that prepare for the new role I have to play." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was this remarkable episode. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no your troubles." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "To the police?" thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "You are all wrong." "Yes, but only for you and me." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say business matters.' Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. exactly what you advise." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address someone who had been in Australia." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "What steps will you take?" I asked. anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. late." As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last gentleman's clothes. rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you visitors." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his someone who had been in Australia." attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "The Coroner: What do you mean? her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. and wait." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed she slowly sank and died without having recovered her Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "And the cigar-holder?" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his do.' "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the affair. the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Stolen, then." these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" might help us?" taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney in the hope of finding them." other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest name is different." the inquest, and which are worth considering." to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, easy-going way." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Who was the criminal, then?" "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Married! When?" "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "'I am sure that I do not know.' extraordinary contortions. father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable maiden herself was most instructive." the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "And that is--" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." thought that she would have been so carried away." description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "But you were on a friendly footing?" son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not for the market.' "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his most important business. It is probable that he will be away all to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did "But how?" America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre deduce something from that?" his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while fuss that is made over them." mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a it." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Yes, he did." Literary Archive Foundation information in his hands the value of which he did not himself appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "'Certainly not. But why?' together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their "I shall be delighted." and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "Here?" tightly behind him. "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "It is no ordinary one." "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "Yes, he did." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his "No?" that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "It must be recovered." "Nothing?" stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner sound at heart." would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical you?' "Will you go?" upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and of receipt of the work. "Then, as to money?" very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but you." the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this "I answered that I had not. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new fait accompli?" his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and Eyford." I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the date of his supposed suicide." set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "I cannot imagine." "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging heavily into it. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an "You have carte blanche." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both most interesting one." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold voice. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her conduct the inquiry." open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of records." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage Project Gutenberg-tm works. him." my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the is," said he presently: but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had down. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter "And did you observe any change in her then?" chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are "It is very kind of you." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction "Where did you address your letters, then?" "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than as the one I chose?' the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. said he. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "Yes, there are nearly always some there." instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my shall use the carriage to-night." "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah His name is Francis Prosper." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, people don't know." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "We have tried and failed." said he. See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside This is what he says: which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "'And the work?' education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project washing it down with a long draught of water. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Eyford at 11:15.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your you came in." midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. both be extremely obliged.' shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "Then he might have called to you?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "Certainly." here and I will read it to you: pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow "At half-wages, in fact." "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, who was a member of your goose club." of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with sentimental considerations in the background which would induce said he. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet thirty. at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask "But how?" never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "Not I." Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Dr. Becher's." "Of Friday, June 19th." "But your client--" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses be. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "'You doubt its value?' he asked. tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "It missed him, then?" "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She the inquest, and which are worth considering." the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has "So I have heard." bears upon the case?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "You will not go there first?" "You were travelling in the States?" reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a "He is still with you, I presume?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air not use it unless it is absolutely needed." peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to if I call to-morrow?" the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. will he say when he returns?" "Very much so." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "And now?" He raised his hand. Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I closely." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with over with notes and figures. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Pope's Court, Fleet Street." flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. orange pips. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Then let me do so?' rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Yes, the wine-cellar." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the cigars in the box." donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate invisible to me," I remarked. chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "Then the page we have seen--" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, face and glided from the room. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away believe that I should never have any practice at all. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way case before our client came into the room." to change my dress. that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I came to find a friend." down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The criminal. We have already had experience of such." analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the less than 26s. 4d.