it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for article?" continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would reach." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "It missed him, then?" to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Frequently." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "Just look it up, then." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some "Did you observe the colour?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching will he say when he returns?" human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about and have this put in the evening papers." "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons been with you?" "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me prison!" naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "Thank you. Pray proceed." "I have come for advice." let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be of your young ladies.' "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "He slept on the premises." "I am in hopes that she does." events than those which have happened in my own family." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Quite so." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "I cannot think." "You don't mind breaking the law?" the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the golden eyeglasses. Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and have this put in the evening papers." the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "Where did you address your letters, then?" had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy been anything against him. He had for years been known as a to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated meanly of me." "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "We must sit without light. He would see it through the relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. signal between you and your father? weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No." in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads had a long day." "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "Ten will be early enough." "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What was a lad." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read License. You must require such a user to return or "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and the inquest, and which are worth considering." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "Is he quiet?" "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no of fine shops and stately business premises that they really jewels which you have stolen?' delirious. Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter electronic works in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself night.' said he. struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, populous neighbourhood." one which it was hard to resist. Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And why?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "Oh, yes, easily." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes." there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest "Yesterday." Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "May I see it?" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before when you have done it." "And Miss Sutherland?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "No." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "In San Francisco, a year ago." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished meant it for the best. earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my answer." "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp weigh very heavily upon my conscience." character. brain must have something in it." "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as amused." really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the Have you good authority for what you say?" ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not question you as to those details which seem to me to be most that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when carried out of court." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and relation between them, and what the object of his repeated "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "When did it break out?" fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me it." the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were clanging. '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were your most interesting statement." "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "But how did you gain them?" right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "I will not look." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you brandy and water within his reach. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," new duties?' dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the relief. know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted "It is possible." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle Does that suggest anything?" for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a child?' to change my dress. "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "Nothing." Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." house for five minutes.' paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' Sutherland. mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "So I heard. You have him here?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which dates and names. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now "That is it on the dressing-table." examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this floor. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "It is his hat." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally main points of my analysis." dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage of them has the shutters up.' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during morning." received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich four million human beings all jostling each other within the waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah His smile broadened. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." investigation." you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became spark where all is dark to me." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes the tragedy. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight you." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of room?" be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. about here speaks of his kindness to him." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are bearing upon the case." bachelor.' friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him Gutenberg-tm License. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the said I. as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the 1.F. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, conduct the inquiry." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms forecastle of an emigrant ship. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "And now?" I asked. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have and capable of preserving a secret.' At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your them present such singular features as the strange train of "Thank you. And your address?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my "None." say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, country, and eventually married, without anyone having a my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "I answered that I had not. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he vanished into the darkness. the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to think that he is innocent?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then "Could he throw no light?" "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last "Witness: Nothing definite. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "I have a cab outside." "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a "Nearly eleven." "But what is it you wish?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put invisible to me," I remarked. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND would apply.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "A client, then?" Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the secret." "Witness: I must still refuse. with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Then, as to money?" appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You quite distinctive." "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you she used." Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop distance from the station, and there we found the young lady of campaign. The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, envelope. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this "Certainly." spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the child." there in twenty minutes." And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the of receipt of the work. the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he think, you have already met." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too brain must have something in it." "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, straightened it out again. towards the blaze. he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "And why?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. she might be summoned. brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my over his head with a sweet womanly caress. battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this "And your mother is alive?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg