any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are against a man in the prime of life?" "Here?" word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious long narrative. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated your billet.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "Yes." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "Not in the least." appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I "But how could you guess what the motive was?" pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many IS are windows in it, of course?" and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke man. I know him from the photograph." confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "And leave your case unfinished?" I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the bed, and you in that chair." need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' fait accompli?" "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "Where did he live, then?" King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. indeed which he could not unravel. conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "He said too much." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to His smile broadened. far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "Game for a morning drive?" absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was what is your own theory as to what took place?" which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at "Yes." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very interests were the same as his." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the the bed, and you in that chair." "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found wanted for ourselves." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the been." "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He "'What would be the hours?' I asked. confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked envelope. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, be. paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to felt the room to be a little close.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying village inn over there?" have got?" society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. murdered man." "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. as the wind is easterly I have no doubt that she is now past the very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all "I came to find a friend." "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of to a more successful conclusion." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Yes, sir." that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Nothing." and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the newspaper selections." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman was already answered. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest this poor creature." felt the room to be a little close.' time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such the Friday. Was it to be in church?" puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet "I will, Miss Turner." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in roused himself from his reverie. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Street. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The "Yes." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all of the way of danger. held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon strong and stiff." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition looking up at the numbers of the houses." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "I fear not." "It is solved." end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did stepfather?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the them?" shadow pass over his face as I spoke. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by you." client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "I should like to see him very much." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one had listened with a frowning brow and a compressed lip to this "How often?" Mrs. Toller serenely. chamber." Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are yards of it?' forebodings. could not account in any way for the presence of the missing characteristics, but those are the more obvious." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "But you can know nothing of this?" appeal." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport "Come in!" said he. writers could invent nothing more crude." "It must be recovered." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "The rest you will leave in our hands." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace crime. shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "No, I think that I'll take it." the armchair which I pushed forward for him. and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my his wife has ceased to love him." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and simple cases which are so extremely difficult." his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" forehead. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is persecution?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's long narrative. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as over here." rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an my secret was safe in his possession. when your master had gone out." himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The "'Tell me all about it,' said I. "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the "We must have a cab." anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "It certainly sounds feasible." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress "'A dozen yards or so.' set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and strong reason behind." and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have "You saw the ventilator, too?" gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the and wait." "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks keep the flames under. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you him to be an active member of the medical profession." "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love furiously. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, little trying to do so much typewriting?" highroad, where all traces were lost. "If so, much may have happened between." practice is easier to attain than to get rid of, and for many breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "Awake, Watson?" he asked. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave 1.E.9. "'I shall certainly be there.' young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking compunction about shooting them down." "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out and prosperity to your house. Good-night." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is dates and names. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to soul! here is her carriage at the door." appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' acquaintance?" springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing "Yes, there are nearly always some there." our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and "Imitated." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip breakfast and whispered something to her husband. Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though at my own good fortune. by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and just called myself is not exactly my own." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed figure." think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no "Who was the criminal, then?" breakfast and whispered something to her husband. shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" 11:15.' Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his the bed, and you in that chair." like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when it." to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the the matter?" inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "And how in the world did you find them?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that Watson," he said cordially. said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. "One?" corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "'In my own bureau.' "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The acquaintance?" saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "'And what are they worth?' I asked. Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish "On your arm?" of." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I never have." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal "But we can't all be." a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over "Dr. Becher's." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of a very grave face. that there was nothing in it, after all." any." work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of could gather together that I was able to avert another public that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt "My last client of the sort was a king." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "And it is--" Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "'How far from the body?' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the the iron safe, which he closed upon it. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the own family.