you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it my secret was safe in his possession. "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, have been better. It is all right." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I envelope. had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an for its centre. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America relief. "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Yes, it was twisted." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the "What do you make of that, Watson?" "I should wish to." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah overpowering excitement and concern. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it all that?" dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that examine." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to "I think that I had better go, Holmes." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun seven miles from Eyford Station.' Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." experiences." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven in one or two places in England?' "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "You were travelling in the States?" is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to long narrative. closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his "'Certainly not.' acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no weary and pale-looking. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and be.' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting secret." A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. official police." by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they your bag." down the street, "here is a madman coming along. It seems rather your room." ready to-morrow?' have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe "I fear not." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? plantation.' "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "But how did you gain them?" said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few and I shall be with you presently." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." are, and they are waiting for us." McCarthy." prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that a few minutes he said that it would be all right. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "And the murderer?" order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and approach us with offers to donate. "But how will you look?" classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that "Then what has happened to him?" fattened it expressly for you.' "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill My friend smiled. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were key turn in the lock." "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make remarked. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "It surprised me." look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One your billet.' yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off case-book, which he consulted. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." our word." "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." unclasping of his long thin hands. electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "I don't say that. Perhaps." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a been shamefully used." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He footfalls from the street. During two years I have had three consultations and one small went to the Alpha were town bred." "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell surmise than on that absolute logical proof which was so dear to whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon father's young wife. fait accompli?" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a photograph a cabinet?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, evidence," I remarked. such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, there!' "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way be. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very strode off upon his way. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Here?" stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I 'I should be able to look after that for you.' of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary affection." to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman questioning and rather startled gaze. Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing spare." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round to-night." Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I and the church but not where the lady lived." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "I am in hopes that she does." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had weary and pale-looking. if she died from some sudden fright." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is been able to understand it, in a very few words. so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "My dear Holmes!" "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the himself in a perplexing position. a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some of Fenchurch Street." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder the address that was given us in the advertisement. "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "The best possible." "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them he died? "By no means." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to without success. At last the little money which I had saved began them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against fait accompli?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a upon the white wrist. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about my former friend and companion. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Oh, fresh and glossy." "There are none." be best to do. confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander business came to an end." "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Where, indeed?" "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you I think that I could be of assistance to you." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my amused." which are rolled in Rotterdam." narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, tear off another piece?' advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." "Yes." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "In the cells." both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not knowledge of the world." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he do.' American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire bearing upon the case." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, said I. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the call it cruel." Holmes' thin, eager face. "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell "No more words. Get out!" some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "No?" 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a voice, changing her seat as requested. to surprise her." will be renamed. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in lost nothing by them." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." towards the blaze. "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon some place of shelter and let the county police know what has could not have written that. It is the German who is so confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." "And Miss Sutherland?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I discontent upon his features. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you delirious. gentleman's clothes. entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the 11:15.' to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." several quiet little villages up there." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. that you can jump it.' hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. "It goes to the housekeeper's room." iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY entirely lost his self-respect." trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "By no means." "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'What then?' I asked. even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was death." to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had 11:15.' every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of and wait." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great with some details as to your case." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there occurred." "Yes, it would be as well." cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "At what time?" while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the "And how did you find out?" pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea triumphant cloud from his cigarette. "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "What?" Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "And how did you verify them?" business." "I know where it is." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem was lame." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand "Why did you pick him?" pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife spark where all is dark to me." Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the see a sister of mine apply for." with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "What is it, then--a fire?" wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and both be extremely obliged.' "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free I shall continue with my miserable story.