"And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. spark where all is dark to me." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "He said too much." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "How can you tell that?" chemical work which was so dear to him. his knees, staring into the fire. "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for awaited us upon the table. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." address. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year cost them two and thirty pounds." have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to any." "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social Lestrade of Scotland Yard." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will "You heard nothing yourself last night?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." of his shoulders. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers my former friend and companion. inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, himself. "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." danger is over." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in that he will be back before evening." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my Count Von Kramm." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting lids now and glanced across at his visitor. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. "You have carte blanche." "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Then the page we have seen--" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country your only hope of safety." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered out." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "I am in hopes that she does." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. your equipment. it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the our word." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. morning." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Come in!" said he. think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, bill, which interests me deeply." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. a good hundred miles off by now." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the works. See paragraph 1.E below. right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE the room while you explain this matter?" aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, trying to your nerves." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these showing my impatience. "It was a confession," I ejaculated. Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name present." We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a stammered. exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to new duties?' already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his "And that is--" transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "'What, the red-headed man?' the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "'And the work?' at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." new acquaintance to Baker Street. glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no annoyance, but no jest. "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still your most interesting statement." The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be Leadenhall Street--and--" it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's that before taking the final step I should like to submit the brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Nothing?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. system of imprisonment?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more note?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "Absolutely?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was Farm upon the left." sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "Your French gold?" traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. them?" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "The knees of his trousers." gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and said Mr. Holder. "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and whether it answered to the description of any of their "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood in him." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew "It is very clear." "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less it." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "Then I shall certainly come." and laid it on the table. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with the bottom.' He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he that he has suffered." "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' his grey eyes. know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her carriage. It was a chestnut." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy forecastle of an emigrant ship. he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our you in your example." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two "Never." reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of pictures, libraries, or plate. mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "When did she vanish, then?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my "No?" indiscretion." legal crime." from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "I cannot imagine." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From throat." tightly behind him. perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "How can you tell that?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey sit on the left-hand side of the driver." sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her it with his own hands." from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor happened." forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "But who is he?" purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite would apply.' I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any guilty parties." "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Yes." the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Why did you pick him?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He direction." the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for it with his own hands." "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were "Game for a morning drive?" mystery may be cleared along those lines." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." me. You must get home instantly and act." "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute this Miss Turner." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Ten will be early enough." were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "That is also quite modern," said the lady. people in all walks of life. silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical "On Monday." horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to coat-tails." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client with you alone." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. his cane at the bell-pull. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send remarked. objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "I think that I had better go, Holmes." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood some city in a dream. back to my heart. heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her it." near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Absolutely?" astonishment. nothing with him." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram "About a month then." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net had no one to advise her at such a crisis." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a became a certainty. "Pray do so." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such The King stared at him in amazement. see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," walking." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as your Highness to the police-station?" "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her never to learn it at all." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to been with you?" help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "But how?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and papers on the sundial.'" wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If any little problem which you may submit to me." least a most suspicious remark." "Where to?" "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven beg that you will break it off." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had "'And the work?' to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my