unprofitable." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which open." "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "This concluded the examination of the witness." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you horse could go." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "Was he the only applicant?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden our word." "But we can't all be." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "How can you tell that?" "He is still with you, I presume?" orange pips. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "But his left-handedness." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend question you as to those details which seem to me to be most "Well?" once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and key turn in the lock." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side never will be, entirely cleared up. "Only as much as we can deduce." thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "Certainly." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "You know me, then?" door?" "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." handed it to him. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Again Holmes raved in the air. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful joking. 11:15.' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "On the contrary, this is the right side." the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the one of the states of the Union." you." a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. vault. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to lost his Christmas dinner." Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend woven round him. have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the wife's character?" without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from "Your sister is dead, then?" edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. never will be, entirely cleared up. reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hopeless attempt at recovering them." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by at once, for I have only half an hour." had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he "How are you getting on?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the placed his cuttings. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Never to return." wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. criminal. We have already had experience of such." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be returned to France?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." "'Where could I find him?' the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the room. strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled the station." "He said too much." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "They are typewritten," I remarked. "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not waste of energy." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that this Miss Turner." and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he "'Where could I find him?' distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." until night should bring an explanation. suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which behind me. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' ways of our fellow-men." How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it do.' It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' south, for the country is more deserted there." mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Yes." home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "'Where to?' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual shag which I had seen upon the previous night. His smile broadened. front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom Countess of Morcar's?" Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would experiences." "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle recover the gem." "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "That is easily got." prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "But you would not advise me to refuse?" Have you good authority for what you say?" "What will you say?" "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler official police." suggested at once that there must be a communication between the street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and other, as fresh and trim as possible. tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you business matters.' "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Really! You surprise me." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself instituted." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat I shall continue with my miserable story. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come completely overtopped every other consideration that we both the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were "No, distinctly professional." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly relation between them, and what the object of his repeated over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Tired-looking or fresh?" the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "Yes, that is the Crown." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the all-comprehensive glances. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it dates and names. "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Were they all fastened this morning?" been lifted and conveyed somewhere." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the cigars in their mouths. grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He would apply.' "That is easily got." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "The King of Scandinavia." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "An accident, I presume?" "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger here and I will read it to you: contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. "Not in the least." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again himself in a perplexing position. "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant outside." sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an Munro.' Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and murdered man." snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange in. Stoke Moran." "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "A confidential servant?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. "'Then let me do so?' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the other lovers by making love himself." "And is that all?" "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' "'Yes, sir.' his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Dirty?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about I have it here in my museum." "The best possible." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of tension within him. "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men I. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my You can understand that this register and diary may implicate "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "Indeed! Whose, then?" "Never to return." to change my dress. matter." "Did your wife hear all this?" this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own II. "There are none." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "That sounds a little paradoxical." at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his It was close upon four before the door opened, and a in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "And help." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to more solid." "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off deduce something from that?" there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to this unhappy family?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell golden eyeglasses. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went tell them apart.' Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of lumber-room." a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence not personally threatened." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Not social, then?" "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Yes, sir." happened." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "He said too much." old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and hour?' "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Dark enough and sinister enough." yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass was feeling which was the fattest.' I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "To an English lawyer named Norton." in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the with the outside air!" repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right felt?" "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my that I can to serve you." grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a noise which awoke you from your sleep?" season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, forbidden door. Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have status with the IRS. "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." interested in these little problems, and since you are good desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other read over the extraordinary announcement. "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "We must have a cab." when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but quick march!" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the perplexity from it to my illustrious client. impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing him!" violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she the tragedy. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then voice, changing her seat as requested. "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" "I cannot imagine." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" particular state visit http://pglaf.org "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. than was visible to me." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow "Yes, he did." flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "What I expected to see." "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard me have 200 pounds?' appeal." call for it in person on Monday morning.' hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from formed some opinion?" him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "Where, then?" observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door persecution?" base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as heavy and sharp instrument." dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a prison!" were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of married her." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him attention." going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him to go into your room and bar your shutters?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the that?' round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." have I gained?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement