newspaper selections." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but dates and names. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "Eh? What was that?" considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Certainly." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "But what is it you wish?" "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." father's young wife. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my 'I should be able to look after that for you.' travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the what do you think they found in the pockets?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his "And it is--" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "There is the writing." out." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you "Deserted you?" toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. his fortune, and I went back to pa. in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now gone. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply "I would pay ten." receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in key turn in the lock." the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly might have a private word with us. hands. your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and heavily into it. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Witness: It was. "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. For additional contact information: produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "That is unusual in a young girl." dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a Sutherland?" "No." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "No, I had a dozen." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "It missed him, then?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "No, my brougham is waiting." young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, must be when I saw the door open.' swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we "It certainly sounds feasible." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and highly," said Holmes. souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. as this. Pray let me have the details." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "My own seal." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away answered with a sidelong glance. laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Stoke Moran?" said he. "'And the work?' think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "'You cannot say what it was?' about here speaks of his kindness to him." "Certainly." that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. all-comprehensive glances. having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very before, for it was considerably after midnight. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. "'Is purely nominal.' this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Entirely." every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for writing, and yet I know it well." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for signal between you and your father? "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of get her out of the way." departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come coroner's jury." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" conclusions. or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "He might." credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "And did you observe any change in her then?" to-night's adventure." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 for the market.' Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that is entirely a question of barometric pressure." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" pressing in one house as in another. turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "And that is--" the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed which are rolled in Rotterdam." followed. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "So I have heard." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official hurried by. I approached. "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Here?" "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Just look it up, then." drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as held up the lantern and gazed about him. enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Yes, it was twisted." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in are windows in it, of course?" "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a this poor creature." really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who weary and pale-looking. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well when you have done it." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord pierced for earrings?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, question. and prosperity to your house. Good-night." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss Chief Executive and Director on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "Do you receive much company?" he asked. the night.' habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, that threaten you." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "Which surely he restored to their owner?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." "No, I had a dozen." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it new duties?' "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a room. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "My dear Holmes!" enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "None." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, chamber." "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. and your relations to her." bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year nonsense.' corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and the coroner come to?" "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." "Well, but China?" lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, and your relations to her." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic humiliation." "Not I." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a read over the extraordinary announcement. friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore get her out of the way." those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it already referred to. walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of status with the IRS. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until wedding?" individual and becomes the badge of a society." tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely cigar and let me expound." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Yes?" "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "Very well, sir. And this stone?" which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. forehead. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "That's no good." "What will you say?" about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than that I can to serve you." "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. know what is wrong with it.' "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and to a light-house. Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Certainly, madam." "'Certainly not.' the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "What can it mean?" I gasped. flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Then what has happened to him?" a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "How many? I don't know." "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite of the efforts of the United States government and of the better relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." problems help me to do so." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the in a friendly supper." were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, floor. an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." respectable self." him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and 'please.'" there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it I took the paper from him and read as follows: Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And You want to know what became of those geese?" pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' The police have openly confessed that they can at present make "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, and wait." transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that Eyford at 11:15.' My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It unclasping of his long thin hands. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. "Not I." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man The police have openly confessed that they can at present make has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "The gentleman I describe." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your back into the street. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy awaited us upon the table. bell. Holmes whistled. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out the night.' the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for his face. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young some water from a caraffe. "How on earth--" "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "Yes, sir." call for it in person on Monday morning.' my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were the night.' time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the is worth.' the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over perplexity from it to my illustrious client. "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion delirious. If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the of Fenchurch Street." "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, shall use the carriage to-night." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "Yes, all." Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing your room." "Which surely he restored to their owner?" door?" friend's singular character. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; for its centre. he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which *** START: FULL LICENSE *** coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you