"No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "No. What a strange idea!" "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "'What do you call purely nominal?' Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what I leave." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or laugh and put his lips to my ear. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his You can understand that this register and diary may implicate transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. constraint." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. "I will not look." rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. back alive. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is whether it answered to the description of any of their exactly what you advise." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Then what has happened to him?" there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification before the coroner and the police-court." "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." together. repay you. There is no doubt that you have detected and defeated spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened plantation.' ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of "You'll never persuade me to believe that." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." "I am sure." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes "But not more so than I to find you." morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Seven!" I answered. unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The once more on the important position which you have been fortunate his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, for the market.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of "Proceed, then." Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere "No good news?" with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able beyond words. listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Well." fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several of it with the greatest attention. the coronet in his hands?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "Really! You surprise me." "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to recover the gem." "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the mysterious end." would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my works. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "No, distinctly professional." politicians who had been sent down from the North. "No bad?" Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from followed. "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" "But he might be a bachelor." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn sparkled upon his finger. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is here and I will read it to you: "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, made him keep the appointment." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had strong and stiff." without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob crowd. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "The decline of his fortunes, then?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son 1.F. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who photograph?" out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my "What do you make of that, Watson?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." "I would give my fortune to have them back." had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My "He slept on the premises." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry her also." reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by "She told me to ask you." that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that he will be back before evening." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "'Yes, sir.' remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing politicians who had been sent down from the North. country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "Your presence might be invaluable." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been Doctor, of the paper and the date." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to happened." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the very morning of the wedding." square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, quite distinctive." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. side. mysterious business." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some delighted to hear it," he said. it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. someone who had been in Australia." once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the at my remark. the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered "But what will you do?" severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "What have you done?" asked Holmes. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that "Witness: It was. "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His "What then?" shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler was once confined in the cab my mission was practically strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "No." said Mr. Holder. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he until night should bring an explanation. completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "No, I am descending." rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that himself to hunt down. "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the the coronet in his hand?" breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to newspaper selections." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an photograph?" works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And should be so warm over such a trifle." out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This direction." forebodings. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties the matter?" moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a which it had come upon my father." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised the driver. said he. chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the "'Not at all. I only doubt--' of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" helping a boy to put up the shutters. silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "And how in the world did you find them?" would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "'Ample.' continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a "'You cannot say what it was?' believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Of what?" dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "No, thank goodness, she did not." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch and have this put in the evening papers." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the bonnet, and went out." It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for despair." manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long matters immensely." Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and is entirely a question of barometric pressure." lectures into a series of tales." and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. the nursery. "Why serious?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a feature." her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a there when the Rucastles went away." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "What shall I do?" and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. "Very murderous indeed." office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the armchair which I pushed forward for him. o'clock is it?" frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. Mrs. Toller serenely. strong and stiff." copied or distributed: other, as fresh and trim as possible. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner the night.' "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall Street. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with thin legs towards the fire. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. individual and becomes the badge of a society." believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold joking. and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone yourselves in at night?" is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the coroner's jury." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to the coronet in his hands?" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his forehead. suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to joking. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where