politicians who had been sent down from the North. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "My dear Holmes!" waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "'Not at all. I only doubt--' my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting night.' said he. "'There is a drive, then?' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the Holmes. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "You heard nothing yourself last night?" he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in silent! Oh, he will be silent!' swore that no one else had been in the front room during the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower know all about it," he snarled. had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" him nearly every evening." one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper foresight and the moral retrogression?" window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and hurried away. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all wedding?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. right! Sit down and let us talk it over." trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an there is a decided draught." "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped it. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to that the gas is not laid on in his house?" pressing in one house as in another. certainly do as you advise." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over chair. "Yes." has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And how did he make his money?" But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is "And why in hopes?" the best of training." temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' bed dies. Does not that strike you?" front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my if only as a check to my own memory." running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical "I have hopes." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled peculiar to him. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Will you bet, then?" "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that since then to throw any light upon what became of him." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return possible that we could bring him back to her? was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "To an English lawyer named Norton." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as know all about it," he snarled. instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both once more on the important position which you have been fortunate first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "He slept on the premises." "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" closely." "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "No." your co-operation." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, humiliation." reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the "From his hat?" of Mr. Rucastle's." once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "That you are never beaten." "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she to his chemical studies. Doctor, of the paper and the date." is worth.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "We have tried and failed." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The see me here to avoid scandal." course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it distance from the station, and there we found the young lady reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for were unconscious?" appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "Texas, I think." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, forbidden door. you." arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come see a sister of mine apply for." Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and plantation.' push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my furiously. retorted upon me, and I on you." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such advice." "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I goes." "No." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "But he might be a bachelor." since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was garden below. my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "Yes." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "In what way?" asked Holmes. lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or disappearance of these gems?" Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just "Was your sister dressed?" "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "Was she in good spirits?" works. See paragraph 1.E below. stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which "In the cells." telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The any more." "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we rose-bushes. "Ah!" responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in 'please.'" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "About a month then." absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Pray let us have it, for all that." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a were new raised from a basin. "Ten will be early enough." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "And Irene Adler?" feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." "Perfectly so." a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a sofa. This way, please!" threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will front of me. broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Then the page we have seen--" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his she might be summoned. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her "Yes." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. to affect your life." more terrible than the truth. "Nothing?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "May I see it?" life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my this man was intellectual?" poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical coat-tails." very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Witness: It was. him. red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Awake, Watson?" he asked. means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Yes." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been presented more singular features than that which was associated sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. my little problems." most interesting one." whatever might befall. job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his spare." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. public press." got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven everything which you would wish to know." have been better. It is all right." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" passage and a tap at the door. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I promise," said Holmes. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "Not in a good cause." he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may himself. something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such "It is possible." notes," he said. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal criminal. We have already had experience of such." "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "To an end?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." "'Very good.' hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil handed it to him. "'Certainly,' I answered. him!" "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder front of the hall door has given its name to the place. day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more photograph?" cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should face and glided from the room. scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a "'What are you doing there?' he asked. his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, to have that photograph." hurried away. the dangers which encompass me." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party Street. donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her indiscretion." and a shock of very red hair. conduct the inquiry." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his to-morrow." will be renamed. creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "To an English lawyer named Norton." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had respectable self." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things all-comprehensive glances. when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every cheerful." hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the interested in these little problems, and since you are good "What then?" dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, deduce something from that?" we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can "In heaven's name, what for?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in fish-monger and a tide-waiter." grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "What, then?" have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a families. Now for the facts. assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old Street. little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four power." strength of mind to control. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced in one or two places in England?' placed his cuttings. Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to call you and give you the chance." "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible call it cruel." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the