6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while for and were ordered to this address. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they suspect him." that?' state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded would then never go into court at all." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the works. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "ARAT," I read. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were quick march!" one's self under obligations.' morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. Heh?' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got stood on the top of it. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made this unhappy family?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have constraint." impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to "Her father is very rich?" "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, thin legs towards the fire. the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling "And for present expenses?" "It is possible." a room. "Then I can wait in the next room." "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it walking." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the six. Come in!" "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel papers." "His face fell immediately. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only in the dead of the night?' if I call to-morrow?" I have it here in my museum." "It's nothing of the kind." Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "My Mary? Impossible!" have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "I think that I had better go, Holmes." carried out of court." knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off infinite languor in his face. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause the devil!" mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a closing the door. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "That is it on the dressing-table." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was said he at last. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "'A dozen yards or so.' notes," he said. every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than who was a member of your goose club." blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a occurred." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am outside." the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great him to go away.' a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My south, for the country is more deserted there." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down of the way of danger. "You have it, sir, just as it happened." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and strength." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque eat it." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. was a perfect sample of the class. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm strode off upon his way. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." Holmes." "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), of fine shops and stately business premises that they really sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those fled together." at home. "She will not sell." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the less than 26s. 4d. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "Then he might have called to you?" squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat taking in every detail of the apartment. all?" "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" Holmes." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "What have you to say now?" just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and to that open window." 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective humiliation." permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so of." II. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It have accepted such a situation. remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "'A dozen yards or so.' great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "Entirely." mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "'Yes.' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to look upon these things in a different way." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense the very morning of the wedding." surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "I have a cab outside." Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the make me his representative both with the servants and with the "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may swore that no one else had been in the front room during the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" you found me to-night--and running through the front room she possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'Yes.' yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. conduct the inquiry." "If I can be of use." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I Cross for the Continent." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and towards the blaze. useful material for showing traces. The double line a little eat it." "'I shall certainly be there.' "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this late!' of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, green of the new foliage. closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. said I. before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to His name is Francis Prosper." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was have one." "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away sneer upon his pale face. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him "Because he was handy and would come cheap." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would o'clock is it?" in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, here and I will read it to you: "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "Yes, sir." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I read it out to me." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "But he might be a bachelor." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true ventilator." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing will take you up to see the machine.' and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural since then to throw any light upon what became of him." particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a with her." them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by lids now and glanced across at his visitor. The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive o'clock is it?" eat it." "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'I am sure if I had known--' unprofitable." all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is your bag." his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper note?" but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. my secret was safe in his possession. for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be fasten all the windows?" news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon triumphant cloud from his cigarette. but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing strong and stiff." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "And your father? Did you tell him?" was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "On your arm?" double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded cigar and let me expound." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that south, for the country is more deserted there." back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a considering the formidable letters which were received by himself there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "May I see it?" "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my pictures, libraries, or plate. prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a results." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after despair." lips." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to guilty one." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "And what then?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with Serpentine Avenue. "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the "She told me to ask you." and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may strong reason behind." Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I should like to see him very much." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Really! You surprise me." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling ways including including checks, online payments and credit card that "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to thought that she would have been so carried away." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his open." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous at once, for I have only half an hour." my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue skylight. to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, this Miss Turner." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these