McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "What can you not understand?" "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "'Entirely.' doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." strength of mind to control. "But what will you do?" "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "But he might be a bachelor." absorbing." the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A second window is the one that I jumped from." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated for the market.' "What! You do not mean bodies?" of a light. the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have "What then?" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my writers could invent nothing more crude." hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "Imitated." brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "And from a noble client?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest your co-operation." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "'Certainly,' I answered. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on points in connection with it which never have been, and probably electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough interest. They are important, you understand, without being many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited the south-west, I see." "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single straightened it out again. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall I shall continue with my miserable story. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in country, and eventually married, without anyone having a chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your morning." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That "No." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "Pray continue your narrative." more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do formed some opinion?" sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' feature." "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp for and were ordered to this address. chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed "But his lameness?" humiliation." which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in of the vacancies.' "Then what has happened to him?" had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the Foundation me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about written. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Holmes. had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her subject to the trademark license, especially commercial sound at heart." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and key turn in the lock." look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE man. "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when himself to tell his story. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And what did you see?" I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "What! Had he lost his wife?" return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in gbnewby@pglaf.org the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, that I may have something better before very many minutes are London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no a very grave face. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off imbecility!" he cried. pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the look upon these things in a different way." "What I expected to see." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." have been better. It is all right." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his enter into my head. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "I am following you closely," I answered. "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." 1.E.9. once more for Briony Lodge. was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco front of the hall door has given its name to the place. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem helping a boy to put up the shutters. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a upon an income of about 60 pounds." wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the congratulate you again." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, go back?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" Watson," he said cordially. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the depend upon my doing so.' violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an there in twenty minutes." twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of children over to America with him, so that I found myself without 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided there has been an enclosure here!" Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the notes," he said. very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his I held the little printed slip to the light. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when friend's singular character. "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had look dissatisfied." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a cigar and let me expound." man. perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the all-comprehensive glances. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any been deceived." and effective." habit of advancing money.' "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the Red-headed League." them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident which are rolled in Rotterdam." correct than the official force." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must will take you up to see the machine.' "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," bonnet, and went out." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows could gather together that I was able to avert another public receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of had died away into the silence from which it rose. Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend himself to tell his story. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my wedding?" know all about it," he snarled. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most said he. and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "I have hopes." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. chambers. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence "Come in!" said he. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything interested in these little problems, and since you are good began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm works. See paragraph 1.E below. "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. interests were the same as his." "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my there when the Rucastles went away." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my "I should be immensely obliged to you." shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, the roots. "Imitated." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" during the last few years, and there are many noble families to Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are cigars in the box." The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I one of them." long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they again, where I was soon asleep. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came see a sister of mine apply for." "Yes, the wine-cellar." resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "On Monday." "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, should be taken.' surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who investigation." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it furiously. he. "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country of this gang." chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful entirely lost his self-respect." before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure out of this horrible affair." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke bird I ate is country bred." "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You come either from the window or the door. My attention was a very grave face. which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in and the colonel ushered me in. back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "But it has twice been burgled." paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a eat it." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest digesting their breakfasts at home." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "No, I had a dozen." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. closely." would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Really! You surprise me." of his shoulders. have established a very serious case against the son of the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared the nursery. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "Yes, all." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." and glanced through. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you tension within him. my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had