although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a nights." morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle must compliment you." it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were is," said he presently: 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the which it had come upon my father." "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home fuss that is made over them." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "What will you say?" say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be upon the sideboard." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Where, then, is my wife?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "But we can't all be." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not was keenly on my guard against him. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is "Nothing?" broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper appeal." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he could not have written that. It is the German who is so the warnings." so far?" "What office?" aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take gentleman's clothes. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. electronic works elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that Pool. brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "What have you to say now?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. away in different directions, and I went off to make my own 'I should be able to look after that for you.' the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "We must have a cab." "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "'No, I know no one in these parts.' should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the records." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I noting anything else of interest. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, what these perils are?" stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "And it is--" like that before?" absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that she to prove their authenticity?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "It is very clear." "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in your billet.' "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was not, dad?" she asked. sufficient punishment." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Certainly." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Nothing." dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you woman." the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to might help us?" "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking during the last few years, and there are many noble families to suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his that you can jump it.' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly "I have my revolver," said I. the little opening for the ventilator is." thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned must be when I saw the door open.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit and your relations to her." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country matters immensely." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little "Nothing?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Did your wife hear all this?" "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, during the last few years, and there are many noble families to indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped business?" black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he least a fellow-countryman. flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have to take care of herself." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in "No. What a strange idea!" and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an "We have tried and failed." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, rat could hardly pass through." aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you sit on the left-hand side of the driver." I nodded again. Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "It may not come to that," said Holmes. address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in "You horrify me." cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "'There is a drive, then?' have got?" "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Proceed, then." she has been waylaid. There has been no result." and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" read it out to me." was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and visitors." be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged opportunities to fix the problem. into the bag, and made for the door. diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Will you go?" there!' during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a six. Come in!" through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." only touch the interest." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear respectable self." "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "By no means." their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Do you go out much in society?" business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the pound a week." lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, "It is half-past ten now." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project danger is over." arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder wedding?" eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed quick march!" of campaign. things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "Yesterday." yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "But not more so than I to find you." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. memory. upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of again on its way. and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Married! When?" prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. may never be exposed to such a temptation." "'There is a drive, then?' however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it helping a boy to put up the shutters. fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural money should be paid at once.' same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the trifles." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the "You saw the ventilator, too?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "It is possible." red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I took the paper from him and read as follows: God! What an exposure! What can I do?" dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to in a very precise fashion." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, has little to do with my story." "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Yes, sir." "My opinion is in no way altered." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "Do you know him?" "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "The landlord of the Alpha." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "Dr. Becher's." would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "I have come for advice." "Well, some hundreds of times." half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what "Did you become engaged then?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Then I shall certainly come." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man purpose equally well?" must be when I saw the door open.' schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "Your presence might be invaluable." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for to talk it over. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two ceremony." surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, one of the states of the Union." Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the running down." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and do.' feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "None." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic heavily into it. facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which nonsense.' "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the nonsense.' *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been redistribution. and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so the King without delay." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then "Ah, but I was recommended to you." re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." begun to whiten, even as mine has." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, Street. problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement been with you?" "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties works. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "'And the work?' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to brandy and water within his reach. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of awaited us upon the table. right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind prove to be little relation between the different incidents of bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "Indeed! Whose, then?" without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the forbidden door. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a front of the hall door has given its name to the place. him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly "Yes, only one." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** that you saw all that I did." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the morning and make my own way in the world.' classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to arrive at through this?" He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two to have that photograph." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in