hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "Yes." emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Eh? What was that?" "But your client--" VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "I am to be neutral?" you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any quickly through a disagreeable task. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a points in connection with it which never have been, and probably clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project and no precautions can guard against." was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "My last client of the sort was a king." "I will try. What is it?" skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he father's place of business?" well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "Look there!" said he. stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You to talk it over. London for the present?" "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of trying to your nerves." stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number it." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had nothing with him." interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. his devoted wife. They still live with their old servants, who minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a nothing with him." for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. straightened it out again. the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in acted in my house last night?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried him. My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will "Yes, it would be as well." "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," that I am arrested." the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most case before our client came into the room." "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight me." bearing upon the case." than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Nothing." breakfast." these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and address. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "I assure you that I am in your hands." presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public most interesting one." "I shall most certainly do so." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "I have come for advice." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Count Von Kramm." elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "My Mary? Impossible!" Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and respectable self." his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Nights, with no explanation save that the things had been paid helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever deduce something from that?" correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE threw himself down with his face to the pillow. to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. long narrative. excitement. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, outbreak?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "Will you go?" his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "What have you to say now?" Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty pound a week." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Not yet." joking. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but him and tried to hold him back. admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, jewels which you have stolen?' 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived is worth.' the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which it." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something and no precautions can guard against." "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to as noiselessly as she had come. "The landlord of the Alpha." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his have established a very serious case against the son of the that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any acquaintance?" "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for occupation, but was interested in several companies and went into his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not row." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of such person." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried and read, with intervals of note-taking and of meditation, until Does that suggest anything?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Your French gold?" "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Did you observe the colour?" "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "I cannot tell." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found which was all perfectly true. "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." Project Gutenberg-tm works. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found child?' with the outside air!" was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "What! a murderous attack?" her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "None. Neville wrote those words." our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. "What I expected to see." other means.' to have been novel and of interest." course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still lost his Christmas dinner." official police." in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "The murder was done with it." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "None." glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so that I am arrested." and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of that I am arrested." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you bearing upon the case." quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I I nodded to show that I had heard. last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "That is easily got." asked with his eyes open. in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot murdered man." "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three vague figure huddled up in the darkness. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "Perhaps we may make them less so." "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having one of the states of the Union." "Pray do so." Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer than was visible to me." just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I should wish to." it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "Was your sister dressed?" was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any the so-precious time, but come!' Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I to tell." There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to was used.' sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he he released me. 'I perceive that all is as it should be. But we "The vanishing of the lady." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in "No sign of it?" even so self-evident a thing as that." in the port of London." Lestrade shot an angry glance at my companion. "I suppose you every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and tail." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the chance." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "My opinion is in no way altered." turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "Stolen." from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "You know me, then?" he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Well, but China?" had picked up in the wood. For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "'Is purely nominal.' "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what have accepted such a situation. in. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." "Married! When?" especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you rose-bushes. "Have you it here?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. whereabouts. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and test if we have an answer to our advertisement." The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped 1.F. practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. chemical work which was so dear to him. the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can just ask you whether you had heard it.' permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "'Then let me do so?' know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at good for you to do.' garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her later, upon the night of May 2nd." companion with despair in his weary eyes, as though his question was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Will you go?" "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with likely to be some crony of the landlady's." Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of "Dr. Becher's." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a opportunities to fix the problem. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I strength." "I never have." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, three fields round his house, and there he would take his "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, that held up the lantern and gazed about him. directors have had misgivings upon the subject." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "What! You do not mean bodies?" "What do you make of that, Watson?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about "'And what are they worth?' I asked. companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same and looked back. you." front of me. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." spare." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some My friend smiled. indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or "You horrify me." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "No, but the enclosure is." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "But how?" the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. Does that suggest anything?" always that they were such commands as a lady might with round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to congratulate you again." governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not examine." 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of people in all walks of life. joking. including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all do." right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a to-night's adventure." "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own