other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." the iron safe, which he closed upon it. words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential Leadenhall Street--and--" but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my happened." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the how narrow had been my escape. "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line beg that you will break it off." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in the side-table." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "So I heard. You have him here?" arms and began to sob in a high treble key. not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "It came here." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the have had none more fantastic than this." "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and disturbance in my wife." key turn in the lock." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular outbreak?" "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I one else, I think." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, passage and a tap at the door. some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of row." of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "On Monday." the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is "He is still with you, I presume?" back alive. Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in "Precisely so. But how--" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a mystery." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit and the church but not where the lady lived." what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Proceed, then." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely vault. baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. joking. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." dear old homesteads?" "'Certainly not.' liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom meant." "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "'Is 4 pounds a week.' desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you three of the beryls in it, was missing. "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this than was visible to me." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at touch that coronet?' cheerful." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And Miss Sutherland?" photograph?" "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: little trying to do so much typewriting?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and ill-usage at the hands of fortune. not within a twentieth part of the market price." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let upon a handsome competence. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Then I am your man." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first and no precautions can guard against." responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events if she died from some sudden fright." in his power. about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just British peeress.'" "We have tried and failed." exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. bachelor.' "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I the south-west, I see." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" "It must be recovered." broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off "And your father? Did you tell him?" roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived there was no need for father to know." I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "Well, some hundreds of times." rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a during that time.' dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it at a side door. paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence key turn in the lock." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them fear." outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up weighed down with some great anxiety. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon away into the river." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "The decline of his fortunes, then?" matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "But you can know nothing of this?" it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found their singular warning or token before them when starting upon building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" "Did you become engaged then?" shag which I had seen upon the previous night. as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." "Yes." "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been and shall probably return to London by the evening train." at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "No?" ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so yards of it?' The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Yes." hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated electronic works "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "I will not look." grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk depend upon my doing so.' "Oh, fresh and glossy." extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second dates and names. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss very old mansion. observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates who was a member of your goose club." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of started for the Temple to see my husband. Munro.' fluttered off among the others. room had already been engaged for us. which our visitor detailed to us. Foundation something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "It certainly sounds feasible." "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He The King stared at him in amazement. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still "Nor running a chance of arrest?" speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I again, where I was soon asleep. august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you III. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "But you have hopes?" burst into a hearty fit of laughter. we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "Well." "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down events, Mr. Windibank!" "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." important." you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson meant." I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Entirely." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned a few minutes he said that it would be all right. have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to written. a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was at a side door. corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "I am still in the dark." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their really the only notable feature about the thing." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "I see many objections to any such theory." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that own family. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to "And sit in the dark?" "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project "Yes, but only for you and me." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy never came back." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be stepfather?" "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause fait accompli?" to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "You horrify me." for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that "Where, then?" it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I here and I will read it to you: these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "I know where it is." "No legal papers or certificates?" "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "That is easily got." relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my *** START: FULL LICENSE *** police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat bed dies. Does not that strike you?" Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety been lifted and conveyed somewhere." roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt children over to America with him, so that I found myself without not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made "I do." which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Of Friday, June 19th." bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "And why in hopes?" "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside meanly of me." The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two I shall continue with my miserable story. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "No more words. Get out!" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, might help us?" chemical work which was so dear to him. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your not interfere, come what may. You understand?" Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small populous neighbourhood." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I would pay ten." during which he might have communicated with his friend the or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by him!" the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when that the gas is not laid on in his house?" my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest in the hope of finding them." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's without success. At last the little money which I had saved began wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "No, I think that I'll take it." "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned society." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Certainly." air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H "In answer to an advertisement." "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "Should you be fortunate enough to solve this problem," said our in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a like that before?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is hand, madam?" repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite stalked out of the room. anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "How often?" fear." "Yes, only one." face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place