"As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the this unhappy family?" "I think that it is very probable." "Of Friday, June 19th." "It missed him, then?" surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, may have an influence upon European history." "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of a very grave face. of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more investigation." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. once more to my work. furiously. As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "I assure you that I am in your hands." an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or was a perfect sample of the class. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a already been minutely examined." you for a few hours?" we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the in the dead of the night?' "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I a little more before I quite committed myself. "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I your bag." do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. ready to-morrow?' voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a if only as a check to my own memory." horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow then?" one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco into the room. photograph?" was a lad." the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a nothing of it?" state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, from you?" Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at ready to-morrow?' 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was door?" Dr. Gregory B. Newby after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. anything to do with the matter?" therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." rat could hardly pass through." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my her also." rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she nights." "Of what day?" knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no footfalls from the street. time." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted stammered. "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of to talk it over. rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange the so-precious time, but come!' "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again row." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "Here?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "'Never,' said I. opened the door, and slipped through. "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and his knees, staring into the fire. have I gained?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, lost his Christmas dinner." but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a "Indeed! Whose, then?" been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous several quiet little villages up there." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "And you thought he was pulled back?" refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or your own bird, so if you wish--" should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done least a fellow-countryman. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as foot. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. I think that I could be of assistance to you." matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself brain must have something in it." has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "No." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "No, my brougham is waiting." was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his the matter." the running down." Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "What, then?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less notes," he said. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the was used.' License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I to miss it." "He is still with you, I presume?" passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Yes, at the mines." this unhappy family?" in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not sufficient punishment." head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and gone before you can get him to hospital." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and daring than any effort of the imagination." "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have murdered man." is four-and-twenty." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "No." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low call the police, let the police find what they can.' One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "My dear Holmes!" to-morrow." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the "Stolen." upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked of fine shops and stately business premises that they really - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And why?" would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now generous with you in money matters.' his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not said I. do.' "His face fell immediately. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a "I am about to be married." an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I depend upon your compliance." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out your troubles." "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at developed." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in to-night?' arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "You know me, then?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of electronic works hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to "No bad?" "'And what are they worth?' I asked. inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he him to go away.' your room." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign Serpentine Avenue. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are extraordinary contortions. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Certainly." "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." sound at heart." business?" warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for "None. Neville wrote those words." the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. "Did you become engaged then?" from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has neither fascinating nor artistic." the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the writing, and yet I know it well." "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my "And how?" chambers. you want, then?' over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but about here speaks of his kindness to him." "It is no ordinary one." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are in a very precise fashion." He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a the one as in the other." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" the coronet at all injured?" remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "To an English lawyer named Norton." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the young Openshaw's." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "'Oh, no.' while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend American. Then who could this American be, and why should he "It is his hat." page at http://pglaf.org recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right hard-headed British jury." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Stoke Moran?" said he. a monotonous occupation." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the note?" "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid for its centre. Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our was already answered. "When did it break out?" "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "None." 1.F. answer." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face he met his fate. But what could it indicate? I cudgelled my time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by photograph?" there were one or two details which were new to me. But the lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Why did you pick him?" this remarkable episode. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "That you are never beaten." Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "He is dead," cried several voices. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "And I to find an enemy." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "Yes." which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical developed." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "He slept on the premises." "But how?" still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." obstinate." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down most interesting one." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "But it has twice been burgled." closing the door. greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly without success. At last the little money which I had saved began six. Come in!" "When did she vanish, then?" the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. once more. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped at a side door. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "'Where to?' direction." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "Entirely." reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "You horrify me." any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "My own seal." the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Could he throw no light?" the coronet in his hands?" "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out yards of it?' Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up one else, I think." "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes opened the door, and slipped through. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed could go. http://gutenberg.net/license). "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon sneer upon his pale face. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "No, distinctly professional." While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly case before our client came into the room." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our about. was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; character. but preventing her from injuring another. "That is it on the dressing-table." uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence for the market.' result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I