enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so security.' another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that "One of his hands." "Yes." get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a up this clue while it is still hot." "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My straightened it out again. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our signal between you and your father? "None." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than before the coroner and the police-court." to-night?" I asked. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was "You are all wrong." "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" "Dr. Becher's." it. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Yes, from Horsham." these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "In which, sir?" vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a thirty. to where he stood hid behind the curtain. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is Clair, of Lee." I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it at my own good fortune. his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good time." his grey eyes. "I was afraid that you were engaged." "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "Have you it here?" It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. from you?" slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which do." home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "It was an hour's good drive." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a started for the Temple to see my husband. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either was feeling which was the fattest.' wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which "He slept on the premises." others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 a little more before I quite committed myself. "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "I warn you that they are very incomplete." "9th. McCauley cleared. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between hands. that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Yes." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "I am about to be married." that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the 1.E.9. begun to whiten, even as mine has." written, and locked the door of the office after me. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who to have that photograph." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few an introduction to him?" "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "That is possible." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND electronic works "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he now. It seems that there had been some informality about their night.' said he. "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "It is very clear." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one official police." lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," weary and pale-looking. about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project spark where all is dark to me." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" been deceived." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco her also." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. my friend's incisive reasoning. road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "I was certainly surprised to find you there." The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "What can you not understand?" before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to indeed happy." maiden herself was most instructive." out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson words came to my lips. snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards this unhappy family?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk the ceiling. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "But you have hopes?" and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat gentleman's clothes. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when outsides of the windows. two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a "You saw the ventilator, too?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot peculiar to him. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly friends, not even his own brother. I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, emerged. and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a page at http://pglaf.org reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but "Nothing." upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a of your young ladies.' consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." ceremony." are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; forehead. undoubtedly my uncle's." open." Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I will do it." warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. yet." five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "What do you mean?" can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, be. "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Thank you. Pray proceed." front of me. "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I presume?" back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he present strange and interesting features that it is no easy lamp in his hand. parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How often?" "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "Why serious?" of your young ladies.' We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "How did you trace it, then?" so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the think that he is innocent?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." prove to be little relation between the different incidents of his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "Then what has happened to him?" was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; colour had been driven from his face. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it "You think that he is dead?" that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. pierced for earrings?" however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer bill, which interests me deeply." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of never came back." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest was already answered. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may never came back." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little hurried away. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "And you don't know his address?" advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a be.' name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his of his shoulders. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Thank you. Pray proceed." my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were suspect him." "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with mystery." very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "My opinion is in no way altered." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my than was visible to me." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came memory. familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is beg that you will break it off." your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has "Was there a secret marriage?" that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway "What can it mean?" I gasped. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" examine." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the where she found matters as described by the last witness. certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "It is to him that this trophy belongs." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "No." and have this put in the evening papers." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two unprecedented a position." more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, he did." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly use an arc-and-compass breastpin." have I gained?" game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point against a man in the prime of life?" This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. "'Yes, sir.' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and the dangers which encompass me." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "But you have hopes?" have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "'And the work?' workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Nothing." "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his if she died from some sudden fright." that I am arrested." ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "I would pay ten." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. been lifted and conveyed somewhere." yourselves in at night?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business developed." behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "About a month then." him!" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have "It looks newer than the other things?" "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." humiliation." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The there in twenty minutes." sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once locked. them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Very. But will he see it?" eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. cigar and let me expound." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any your troubles." maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an Again Holmes raved in the air. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa think that any burglar could have done. "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely Holmes. "No more words. Get out!" was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which brain must have something in it." "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there four million human beings all jostling each other within the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any to some other building. innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect said Mr. Holder. before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he I took the paper from him and read as follows: You can understand that this register and diary may implicate everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of shadow pass over his face as I spoke. secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a the station." burst into a hearty fit of laughter. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "It is true that I have been generally successful." fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your my special province." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "And the cigar-holder?" "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas of campaign. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE soul! here is her carriage at the door." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has