little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard note?" of a light. breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was seen the man in the road." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook discontent upon his features. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' the inquest, and which are worth considering." you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "How long did she speak to this Alice?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are "Witness: I must still refuse. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing there is a decided draught." The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "I think that I had better go, Holmes." hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said which our visitor detailed to us. "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, was feeling which was the fattest.' "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate brain must have something in it." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the one or two very singular points about this room. For example, round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of "Whose house is it?" and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I neither fascinating nor artistic." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "How are you getting on?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "'You cannot say what it was?' a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "What then?" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "What, then?" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I presented more singular features than that which was associated said he at last. "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "I saw her in conversation with her maid." continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. within hail.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the and prosperity to your house. Good-night." envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "And when will you call?" "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry the child." I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! "'How far from the body?' received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated geese which you supplied to the Alpha." enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you to some other building. fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "That is possible." Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, footfalls from the street. The King stared at him in amazement. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the will take you up to see the machine.' on in his house." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "Perfectly so." willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from father's young wife. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." she to prove their authenticity?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "'Never,' said I. "Absolutely?" stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." "But the mystery?" the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent nights." highroad, where all traces were lost. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "Yes, but only for you and me." "'What do you call purely nominal?' or other trace. But how on earth--" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his eyes and forehead. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as dates and names. and a shock of very red hair. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you morning." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "I am all attention, madam." felt the room to be a little close.' thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may learned something! Where are the gems?" dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that go--none." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good ways of our fellow-men." which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "Never to return." conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable it was withdrawn as suddenly as it appeared, and all was dark Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are locked." hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his lamp in his hand. had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "Only as much as we can deduce." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Ample." all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off a very grave face. all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of all?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed with her." cup of tea. Holmes." where we are going." strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes "Yes." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. more solid." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." I nodded again. "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while "'And what salary do you ask?' all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the electronic works deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the "What are they?" noble correspondent could be. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the if only as a check to my own memory." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the date of his supposed suicide." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and brought there to personate someone, and the real person is cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of was keenly on my guard against him. you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is Mary, has deserted me." became a certainty. outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the to tell." while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to fishes. have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been had no one to advise her at such a crisis." to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far providing copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in accordance as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an chemical work which was so dear to him. house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young before, for it was considerably after midnight. bachelor.' filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his should be taken.' "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all Have you good authority for what you say?" see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith you." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. "Was she in good spirits?" stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "Pray tell us what has happened to you." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Witness: Nothing definite. tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred leaning back in his chair. go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for never to learn it at all." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must outside." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Tired-looking or fresh?" "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the "And how did you verify them?" it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party depend upon your compliance." a suggestive one." "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should "How many? I don't know." headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which over here." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that bears upon the case?" "Then how many are there?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let crime." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "Well, but China?" cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "How did he come?" then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Which surely he restored to their owner?" to arrive at through this?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "A call for help, you thought?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to chambers. already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a down in his armchair and closing his eyes. He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as acquaintance?" "No more words. Get out!" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few my secret was safe in his possession. instituted." despair." harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "Entirely." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three "I fear not." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in considering the formidable letters which were received by himself tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and bled considerably." window when the police appeared." "'Quite sure, dad.' "Not I." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version "A greater distance to travel." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "No legal papers or certificates?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "Deserted you?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. quite distinctive." upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as way in." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would which should have the effect of calling the attention of the be sorry for having acted so harshly." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the there was no need for father to know." "Very murderous indeed." headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these through." "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it "One?" his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the