one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" him. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the night.' "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker strode off upon his way. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we question you as to those details which seem to me to be most down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather of it with the greatest attention. "No, my brougham is waiting." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's which was all perfectly true. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just he died? Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "A call for help, you thought?" "Married! When?" in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. you do it in twenty minutes!' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as in a very precise fashion." yards of it?' As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary intimate personal affairs in this public manner." you want, then?' "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of kindly on the shoulder. "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "Did you become engaged then?" drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I have got?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "My dear Holmes!" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, prepare for the new role I have to play." down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "Well?" green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a friend's singular character. ordinary clothes on?" have been better. It is all right." and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, too. Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present "But how?" that I am arrested." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon and your relations to her." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "Murdered?" most interesting one." "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer newspaper selections." "'Is purely nominal.' shattered by a heavy blow from a blunt weapon. I marked the spot possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to chambers. "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "You forget that I know nothing about it." "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more pity, because in other respects you would really have done very pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more to you." into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "No." enter Dr. Roylott's room." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" bears upon the case?" "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Were they all fastened this morning?" of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall locked." have accepted such a situation. sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which again before evening." and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are go back?" once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little it means?" sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "No more words. Get out!" upon the shelf for the interim." deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a good-night and bustled off upon her way. secret." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "I think that it is very probable." morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at of your young ladies.' Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such few hundred pounds.' high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the detained." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as see me here to avoid scandal." used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Not yet." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. "And who is her maid?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew outside." the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. room had already been engaged for us. The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, 11:15.' was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. was shining brightly. passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of prisoner's face. green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "Precisely so. But how--" search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask DISSOLVED. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain my secret was safe in his possession. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling it." purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards for securing the situation." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Oh, fresh and glossy." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? would apply.' arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The searched, without anything being found which could incriminate yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Certainly, madam." "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I papers diligently of late, have you not?" and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." how narrow had been my escape. from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as Sutherland. never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Not in a good cause." tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King should be so warm over such a trifle." supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "Yes." see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and you?' much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable whatever might befall. ventilator." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, figure." "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be My friend smiled. quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his such attractions and accomplishments?' "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "'What do you call purely nominal?' Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "Texas, I think." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. you." events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "'Ten to two.' "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which girl said." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the Munro.' the best of training." so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you brandy and water within his reach. showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while annoyance, but no jest. was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who "'I shall certainly be there.' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. yet." sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Breckinridge is his name." Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At him to go away.' the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, read over the extraordinary announcement. wanted for ourselves." A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring always that they were such commands as a lady might with my secret was safe in his possession. not fit the lock." The summons was a brief and urgent one. shaken than I had ever seen him. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR occurred." evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his think that any burglar could have done. "The gentleman I describe." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense everything which you would wish to know." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as envelope. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and answer." This is what he says: was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good year, so as to recompense you for any little inconvenience which "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you three of the beryls in it, was missing. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a politicians who had been sent down from the North. 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster to some other building. strode off upon his way. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Was your sister dressed?" dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the "Yes." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit and shall probably return to London by the evening train." 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." Leadenhall Street--and--" in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." soul! here is her carriage at the door." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view upon a handsome competence. "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your imbecility!" he cried. from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I felt the room to be a little close.' "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little hand, madam?" have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently young Openshaw's." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "I have solved it." direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "I warn you that they are very incomplete." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose as he remarks, very much against the son." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and results." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "How about poison?" about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first it." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger