"Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "Stolen, then." for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really there were one or two details which were new to me. But the really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "But what will you do?" am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the brought there to personate someone, and the real person is King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be to where he stood hid behind the curtain. the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "'And what salary do you ask?' the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Eh? What was that?" him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Yes, sir." putting in the horse. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a giving me time to thank him. that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search corner of the building. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "Ample." thin legs towards the fire. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as lips." pressing in one house as in another. hour?' note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "Can I be of assistance?" he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for like gravel from a pit.' "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' which we had just quitted. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "'My dear young lady! my dear young lady!'--you cannot think how shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it bare slabs of marble. America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, lumber-room." the so-precious time, but come!' the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless to arrive at through this?" It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to himself. corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the coronet in his hand?" passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and one or two very singular points about this room. For example, face and glided from the room. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, other means.' did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I success. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But appointment with me for six o'clock?" an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is conversation I have gathered that they have been married about enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards "Pray tell us what has happened to you." over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Eh? What was that?" manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. During two years I have had three consultations and one small "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. easy-going way." "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Witness: It was. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold of the efforts of the United States government and of the better low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors Leadenhall Street--and--" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside recall any case within my experience which looked at the first finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the had noticed during the day. His chin was cocked upward and his classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes touch that coronet?' was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the laugh and put his lips to my ear. least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put directly by questioning you." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "Deserted you?" "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "What then?" "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the been." purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "He said too much." excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then hands. my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "One?" printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me would have been better for both of us had I been sterner, but I and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was if only as a check to my own memory." and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, will he say when he returns?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk pictures, libraries, or plate. events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven "But what will you do?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the "Were they all fastened this morning?" coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which "I will not look." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to burst into a hearty fit of laughter. Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? fifth. Now, when you see that a young lady, otherwise neatly It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "My dear Holmes!" power." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End fashion which was peculiar to him. be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the "Yes, the wine-cellar." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "That you are never beaten." mystery may be cleared along those lines." belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are and the colonel ushered me in. was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel companion. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had indiscretion." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "Look there!" said he. instituted." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Because he was handy and would come cheap." little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at the driver. twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "But she could not love him." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we triumphant cloud from his cigarette. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid "I will, Miss Turner." dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first been deceived." fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same what do you think they found in the pockets?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into The dear fellow wanted to see if the missing piece were at the "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "Dirty?" my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of considering the formidable letters which were received by himself while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to like gravel from a pit.' surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could "Well." "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for through." We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than of them has the shutters up.' Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for forecastle of an emigrant ship. perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that there was nothing in it, after all." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a bedroom door." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. burst out into a roar of laughter. she used." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the speckled band?" footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "What do you mean?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, interested in these little problems, and since you are good threw himself down with his face to the pillow. Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "I am still in the dark." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "But to whom?" the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "Here?" bore every mark of being an average commonplace British some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre the Friday. Was it to be in church?" imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while better in every way that they should make their position a little front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "No, but this horrible man confessed to having been there, and down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "I shall most certainly do so." anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "How many? I don't know." "Did you observe the colour?" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass information in his hands the value of which he did not himself Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to Holmes' face clouded over. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a advice." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had answered with a sidelong glance. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. hereditary King of Bohemia." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers Foundation things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less village inn over there?" right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Then how many are there?" red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and The summons was a brief and urgent one. adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his Lestrade of Scotland Yard." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest nothing with him." "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been second window is the one that I jumped from." from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before "Precisely." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Does that suggest anything?" letters?" I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear your most interesting statement." any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "What shall I do?" "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have and looked back. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, Dr. Gregory B. Newby myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "You'll never persuade me to believe that." It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "How did that help you?" humiliation." Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: retorted upon me, and I on you." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "No, but the enclosure is." four million human beings all jostling each other within the her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Won't it ring?" then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' go from here to the Strand." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left the bottom.' saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you shag which I had seen upon the previous night. focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into during the last few years, and there are many noble families to also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was "I fear not." matter." Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the