two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "I assure you that I am in your hands." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of father's young wife. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was yards of it?' "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "'Most admirably.' recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend "'Certainly not.' "But how?" "There are none." "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as assist you in forming an opinion." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was in my life." half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "Breckinridge is his name." Dr. Gregory B. Newby I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round you?' something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he there were one or two details which were new to me. But the constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "And the murderer?" common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock and prosperity to your house. Good-night." the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but you want, then?' my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door problems help me to do so." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as when your master had gone out." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his she slowly sank and died without having recovered her honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the south-west, I see." thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but have established a very serious case against the son of the dead, shall be safe with us." the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little crime." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. to-night's adventure." "Stolen, then." the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the friend's singular character. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his said he at last. has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "Certainly." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "I am to be neutral?" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure at my own good fortune. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was sit on the left-hand side of the driver." all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' Munro.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were and no precautions can guard against." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off been with you?" Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of "Did your wife hear all this?" "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does photograph?" "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I "Why, what do you mean?" look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might God! What an exposure! What can I do?" Holmes rather sternly. again." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "Sarasate plays at the St. James's Hall this afternoon," he "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held "And I to find an enemy." distinguish the words: "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I considering the formidable letters which were received by himself "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more "How do you know, then?" regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by me. magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's sooner or later she must fall a victim. weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at and files of the old papers, following the future career of every them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "There is the writing." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too than to us. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, meant." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the the little opening for the ventilator is." presented more singular features than that which was associated "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "No legal papers or certificates?" fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of other, as fresh and trim as possible. extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or get her out of the way." it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to green of the new foliage. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your "Where is it, then?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "'Is purely nominal.' "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the happened." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your the window, rose as we entered. charged with?" but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Because he was handy and would come cheap." police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my Literary Archive Foundation got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "It is solved." "May I see it?" day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. answer." "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it copied or distributed: "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me you." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "An enemy?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able down in his armchair and closing his eyes. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the during that time.' me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to had picked up in the wood. "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." "No." week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded have I gained?" "But you can know nothing of this?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a without a word or a look. affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to the window, rose as we entered. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "So I heard. You have him here?" your troubles." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and "Yes, sir." B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of train.' mystery." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those to me. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would "'Stolen!' he cried. End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Was she in good spirits?" the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project my little problems." believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that was it brought him the coronet? years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "No, I am descending." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Yes. He waved his hands." "Texas, I think." it. police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first late." "No bad?" whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." people don't know." vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "Witness: I must still refuse. which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased served to weaken the effect. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in in a friendly supper." "But who is he?" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "No, my brougham is waiting." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Very murderous indeed." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you hurried away. "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has eavesdroppers?' "Really! You surprise me." scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." joking. combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a that I can to serve you." I approached. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up friend's singular character. and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and in him." would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of that the gas is not laid on in his house?" to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Will you go?" "Was she in good spirits?" again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," "None." or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." absolutely follow my advice in every respect." "The King of Scandinavia." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "We must have a cab." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, very morning of my second wedding." The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. was a perfect sample of the class. go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon you." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet their singular warning or token before them when starting upon "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most drove away. the salesman. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I see no marks." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were sparkled upon his finger. loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation helping a boy to put up the shutters. to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard ashen face. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by companion. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had Literary Archive Foundation he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Pray do so." furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." strength." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend your troubles." that you can jump it.' reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and out of this horrible affair." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words photograph a cabinet?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of or in danger--" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly occupations.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "Frequently." "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and was a lad." fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, the iron safe, which he closed upon it. have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done there when the Rucastles went away." gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements "By all means." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the when your master had gone out." "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me through." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "And why?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any