clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband do.' this unhappy family?" but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. is worth.' deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution works. think that he is innocent?" train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure went to the Alpha were town bred." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of call you and give you the chance." trying to your nerves." "What is it, then--a fire?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and so there only remained your niece and the maids. But if it were the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different the morning and make my own way in the world.' advice." fattened it expressly for you.' from the brougham. coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his opened your bureau, took out your coronet, broke off by main not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize answered with a sidelong glance. her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there you." array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "But of what society?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out spark where all is dark to me." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the absorbing." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' place no limit on the sum I may draw." confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "But you have hopes?" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she so far?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his ashen face. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers my former friend and companion. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "She showed me, as I told you she would." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot place of silver." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable have been better. It is all right." a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your asked. first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly six. Come in!" hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "And you don't know his address?" "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his "That is possible." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the roots. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The respectable self." "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if have an American origin." "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "And that is--" the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "How on earth--" Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, to affect your life." States. am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" public press." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the http://www.gutenberg.net in this way: this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming have one." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily "Has he come with you to-night?" "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Tired-looking or fresh?" at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which charge against him will break down." America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "And you thought he was pulled back?" nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by married her." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in Eyford at 11:15.' young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You forget that I know nothing about it." bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "If I can be of use." "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': touch that coronet?' us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "Was your sister dressed?" "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on you?' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned gentleman's clothes. "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of himself. more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" himself to tell his story. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to have been novel and of interest." about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. shall use the carriage to-night." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very "I beg pardon." were new raised from a basin. have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his pictures, libraries, or plate. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the was not a bird to be seen there. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project breakfast and whispered something to her husband. 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. persecution?" "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. rooms." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" eavesdroppers?' "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "Nothing." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Which surely he restored to their owner?" such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a dead, shall be safe with us." burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "You know me, then?" office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' "My dear Holmes!" "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "What! a murderous attack?" hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a "Really! You surprise me." back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the Merryweather is a bank director, and personally interested in the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in test if we have an answer to our advertisement." emerged. other, as fresh and trim as possible. "'I shall certainly be there.' "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "She told me to ask you." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and bird of prey. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "The gentleman I describe." "You are all wrong." "To the police?" stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I "It is possible." I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of to his chemical studies. As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "By all means." Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to of them has the shutters up.' Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been "He might." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "Breckinridge is his name." "Of what day?" destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." at home. and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It furiously. might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. address. sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "This photograph!" me. "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the night.' if she died from some sudden fright." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after point in the dark hollow of his hand. public press." It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of some city in a dream. bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "'Yes, I promise.' it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I light and attacked it." produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked http://gutenberg.net/license). observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. approach us with offers to donate. "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an suggested at once that there must be a communication between the skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you electronic works last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his and prosperity to your house. Good-night." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "Not social, then?" mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see the tragedy. that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, Arthur Conan Doyle "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave closely." said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "Well, it is a possible supposition." "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured danger is over." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I reach." "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both strength." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 and looked back. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone "Come in!" said Holmes. been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really in this note: the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You of note-paper. It read in this fashion: first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "Thank you. Pray proceed." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "'You doubt its value?' he asked. arrangements." Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe whole matter to your consideration." Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, is acting for the best. precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "No, my brougham is waiting." "'There is a drive, then?' play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and the driver. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, lumber-room." held up the lantern and gazed about him. fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire gone before you can get him to hospital." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle nonsense.' here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" "No more words. Get out!" not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "It is his hat." the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose Henry Baker is a member." and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but of a light. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "What of the rat, then?" description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the himself to tell his story. "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one McCarthy." wanted for ourselves." With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy,