in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "I shall most certainly do so." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the spark where all is dark to me." "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a bonnet, and went out." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." reach." second window is the one that I jumped from." ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "Yes, only one." "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and she might be summoned. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes are windows in it, of course?" moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the him to go away.' "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "None." bare slabs of marble. "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have accepted such a situation. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to conclusions. the coronet at all injured?" he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the a few minutes he said that it would be all right. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I the matter." disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, answer." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop client, rising. that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their to affect your life." problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "And I to find an enemy." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and where Mr. Fordham shows you.' five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they there was no need for father to know." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you later, upon the night of May 2nd." opened the door, and slipped through. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon the warnings." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little McCarthy's innocence. nonsense.' "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your would then never go into court at all." said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, which are rolled in Rotterdam." and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable fattened it expressly for you.' one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "What then?" about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all shoulder. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," gone. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, very peculiar words of the dying woman?" was shining brightly. the roots. seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no voice, changing her seat as requested. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Ample." merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will cigars in their mouths. the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich upon a handsome competence. your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "Awake, Watson?" he asked. your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "Perhaps we may make them less so." relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what which it had come upon my father." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a clanging. geese which you supplied to the Alpha." 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had "He said too much." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "Then how many are there?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own like that before?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve wall." salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down "Witness: I must still refuse. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, weighed down with some great anxiety. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." them?" sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his late." of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my been lifted and conveyed somewhere." "I beg pardon." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large bedroom door." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or together. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations again." "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several she has been waylaid. There has been no result." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Yes." gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "I have solved it." heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "No, distinctly professional." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, conclusions. akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called happened." green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend he bowed and left the room without another word. not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned your Highness to the police-station?" eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his way: as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to is acting for the best. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again to have been novel and of interest." cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." golden eyeglasses. there!' object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign some water from a caraffe. the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across business." Gutenberg-tm License. "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Ten to two.' counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew there was no need for father to know." Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "'Certainly not. But why?' we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "And how in the world did you find them?" towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full colour had been driven from his face. been with you?" violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "But what is it you wish?" glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and right! Sit down and let us talk it over." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs into the bag, and made for the door. "Here?" "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" is four-and-twenty." "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. fat-encircled eyes. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my digesting their breakfasts at home." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the was feeling which was the fattest.' Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who "In San Francisco, a year ago." so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a national property. I was determined that the law should have its galvanised. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter Countess of Morcar's?" Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no "Will you bet, then?" looking up at the numbers of the houses." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy come either from the window or the door. My attention was The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "'There is a drive, then?' suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the have an American origin." hands. "At half-wages, in fact." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were highroad, where all traces were lost. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the "Deserted you?" "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted hurried away. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend make me his representative both with the servants and with the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from floor. "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. not as remarkable as your advertisement." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in "That's no good." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have British peeress.'" matters immensely." With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Very much so." view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Yes." disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to a little more before I quite committed myself. wanted for ourselves." A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six see me here to avoid scandal." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank The police have openly confessed that they can at present make common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "You know me, then?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "Yes." Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events is worth.' "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before "Was the window open?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "It surprised me." thin legs towards the fire. good-night and bustled off upon her way. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the to-night?" I asked. must be when I saw the door open.' pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too new acquaintance to Baker Street. Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the Leave Paddington by the 11:15." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "Perhaps I have." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's foresight and the moral retrogression?" veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant I shall continue with my miserable story. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "I would give my fortune to have them back." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked "But what will you do?" donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you skylight. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "It came here." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the points to suicide?" think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with "I see no marks." "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few fasten all the windows?" noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front in him." main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I I held the little printed slip to the light. years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy any little problem which you may submit to me." "'Quite sure, dad.' demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every because she had spent so short a time in this country that she years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Eh? What was that?"