matter." thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you call for protection in the marriage market, for the present however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Well, some hundreds of times." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. was keenly on my guard against him. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Well, it is a possible supposition." done what I asked you, Jones?" course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project where we are going." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "Yes, from Horsham." making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has ashen face. Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, said I. cigar and let me expound." children over to America with him, so that I found myself without the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt few hundred pounds.' Holmes' face clouded over. people in all walks of life. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here written, and locked the door of the office after me. insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out room. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "And I to find an enemy." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should wall." prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "That is it on the dressing-table." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the "Because he was handy and would come cheap." doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she third from London." could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall politicians who had been sent down from the North. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "Imitated." problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and said he. never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me horse could go." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has you?" there." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he out of this horrible affair." every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he "My Mary? Impossible!" on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" hand, madam?" course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two miles off. "I should wish to." investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared advice." eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of "Here?" - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies sake, don't!" I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources "I saw her in conversation with her maid." in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; one or two very singular points about this room. For example, everything which you would wish to know." "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, The events in question occurred in the early days of my the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." matter." not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments "Was there a secret marriage?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "'How far from the body?' was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear compunction about shooting them down." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "I don't say that. Perhaps." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. attention." were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as and the colonel ushered me in. waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "I shall be delighted." I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the is four-and-twenty." years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "I say it is." desk. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this matters immensely." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "9th. McCauley cleared. the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Dark enough and sinister enough." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the prison!" and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Ten will be early enough." repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated him nearly every evening." time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by ourselves in the office." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' it." tear off another piece?' shall not find me ungrateful." so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, "I don't believe it." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "'In my own bureau.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "To ruin me." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at business came to an end." "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. some city in a dream. steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "No, I think that I'll take it." WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have your bag." He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just relation between them, and what the object of his repeated us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "But who is he?" was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "Proceed, then." "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. "Where to?" he died? was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly room?" I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." been deceived." during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest he bowed and left the room without another word. "Yes." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "It is a murder, then?" "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I might have a private word with us. Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we stood on the top of it. advice." and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "Deserted you?" had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the "Then he might have called to you?" "I assure you that I am in your hands." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' "I cannot think." "By no means." of the vacancies.' 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the stones. everything which you would wish to know." have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made politicians who had been sent down from the North. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "What is it, then--a fire?" here." "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were Literary Archive Foundation ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and overpowering excitement and concern. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I do." opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. so.' the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. examine." wall." adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." your bag." the room while you explain this matter?" conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and call for it in person on Monday morning.' "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that will take you up to see the machine.' fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "So I heard. You have him here?" "You did not overhear what they said?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "But what harm can there be in that?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "It is half-past ten now." "Thank you. And your address?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is matter." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so emerged. "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "One of the highest in England." fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent Pope's Court, Fleet Street." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of retorted upon me, and I on you." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since himself to hunt down. be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "That's no good." "The vanishing of the lady." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "'What do you call purely nominal?' likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I again on its way. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent that I may have something better before very many minutes are at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "'I have already given you my word.' plantation.' sake, don't!" five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I "Game for a morning drive?" zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at floor. at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have obstinate." (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project weary and pale-looking. their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" seem to you to be relevant or not." "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, rose-bushes. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was followed. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Eyford at 11:15.' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly friends, not even his own brother. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man think that any burglar could have done. latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the are windows in it, of course?" was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely writers could invent nothing more crude." the stones. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to over his head with a sweet womanly caress. beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in digesting their breakfasts at home." "But how will you look?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "What! Had he lost his wife?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking child?' this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "But she could not love him." "Entirely." "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "And now?" I asked. are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the