room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so shall use the carriage to-night." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Here?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which Doctor, of the paper and the date." and files of the old papers, following the future career of every called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in had died away into the silence from which it rose. important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "So it appears." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual always that they were such commands as a lady might with "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a out of this horrible affair." I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your "We were both in the photograph." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge never will be, entirely cleared up. the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "Won't it ring?" "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just this poor creature." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the stepfather?" upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "You think that he is dead?" thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "Your presence might be invaluable." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Not particularly." Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" "And that is--" "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest "Do you receive much company?" he asked. inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I little trying to do so much typewriting?" reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And I." could not have written that. It is the German who is so "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, papers on the sundial.'" indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose present strange and interesting features that it is no easy throat." conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a said he at last. over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "I will not look." that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "I cannot imagine." at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They and the whole place is in a blaze." fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would said he. "Never." "And now?" I asked. Parr, the second waiting-maid, has only been in my service a few a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been "No, thank goodness, she did not." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work individual and becomes the badge of a society." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring things are very often connected not with the larger but with the and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they new duties?' my little problems." the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of sofa. This way, please!" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." I leave." the address that was given us in the advertisement. however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer "Tired-looking or fresh?" I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "Come in!" said Holmes. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office leave you to your papers for a little." never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was the address that was given us in the advertisement. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is she used." really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very or other trace. But how on earth--" the inquest, and which are worth considering." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. system of imprisonment?" IS which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Do you know him?" "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I his cane at the bell-pull. "'Very good.' staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "But who is he?" "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, "Precisely so. But how--" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the "And your mother is alive?" Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "Ample." "Yes, but only for you and me." "The Cedars?" were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." the warnings." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "The Cedars?" yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days of a lady? There it is in a nutshell. If you have not, you are and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger true." suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I would pay ten." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to appeared upon the scene." "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is as this. Pray let me have the details." Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Then, as to money?" didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in several quiet little villages up there." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his "I cannot tell." black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. You can understand that this register and diary may implicate suddenly upon us." "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his placed his cuttings. digesting their breakfasts at home." hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "And how in the world did you find them?" "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first bed dies. Does not that strike you?" akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, "That is possible." "That is possible." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford and wait." which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell said I. along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped For answer Holmes pushed back the frill of black lace which is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the of." "Quite so." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she disappearance of these gems?" Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of the vacancies.' "A client, then?" "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up shadow pass over his face as I spoke. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "Do you know him?" some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the of the way of danger. "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "And now?" I asked. better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. head. So long, then!" that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the "Yes." "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "I cannot as yet see any connection." maid will bring up your coffee." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." papers must be those that are destroyed.' advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police cause to be." nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Never." death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Witness: It was. "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an footfalls from the street. the ceiling. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him extraordinary contortions. slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "By all means." happened." house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "9th. McCauley cleared. black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done window, and she was escorted home in a cab by the police, as her savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do nothing of it?" sufficient punishment." country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "But you would not advise me to refuse?" is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." "What have you to say now?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" "No. His orders were to stay in the house." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." roused himself from his reverie. should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of your young ladies.' said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have redistribution. insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she window when the police appeared." myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive shaken than I had ever seen him. Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "You are all wrong." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I say it is." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. some water from a caraffe. done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. of Gold, in Upper Swandam Lane. But what was she to do? How could "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "And on what day did he meet his death?" prisoner's face. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich detained." "Holmes, the busybody!" "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the beyond words. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was felt?" point in the dark hollow of his hand. them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "In the cells." She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am desk. see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. intrusion of other matters." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross think that he is innocent?" sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall John Swain, of St. Augustine. upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower is," said he presently: some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes, I have one waiting." "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too