danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "That is also quite modern," said the lady. down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." advice." gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "Not him." "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. are, I think, all that we need." come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the done what I asked you, Jones?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote helping a boy to put up the shutters. not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." problems help me to do so." son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her do not inconvenience you. Yours faithfully, of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters over with notes and figures. They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything very morning of my second wedding." are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really the room while you explain this matter?" "'Where could I find him?' herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to easy-going way." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "Yes, it was twisted." here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "At what time?" crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "It came here." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "I was certainly surprised to find you there." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "It is half-past ten now." "So I am. Very much so." slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, showing my impatience. this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few 1.E.9. hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and learned something! Where are the gems?" There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only heavily into it. "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "Precisely." of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my have not had my rubber." Foundation "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond flock.' one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they south, for the country is more deserted there." weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical eat it." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "No, but the enclosure is." "'Stolen!' he cried. then?" "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "Where, then?" neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the "'Ten to two.' rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an his grey eyes. Gutenberg-tm License. George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. which I could not give. He asked for Alice. her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner mysterious end." go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the were new raised from a basin. in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "And what did you see?" "What can you not understand?" in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb "The landlord of the Alpha." time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in assist you in forming an opinion." "Witness: I must still refuse. "My Mary? Impossible!" maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. kind enough to tell me what I should do." "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a "Yes?" fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My "I cannot tell." ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at respectable self." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a indeed which he could not unravel. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and meant it for the best. "Then I am your man." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "No bad?" look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, here and I will read it to you: spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he "Well, some hundreds of times." Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he key of the affair now." brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "What is it?" 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. had died away into the silence from which it rose. "Then I can wait in the next room." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his his face which made him a very different person to the round, in a friendly supper." "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of Edgeware Road. "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." over here." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which key of the affair now." beg that you will break it off." with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your upon an income of about 60 pounds." All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced begin with, and I had not got mine yet." seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Precisely." Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will troubles have been weighing upon his mind. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "Entirely." and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "Not social, then?" if she died from some sudden fright." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere which it had come upon my father." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his "It is his hat." "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "My dear Holmes!" and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'Entirely.' young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." them present such singular features as the strange train of machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little keep the flames under. and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "What have you to say now?" the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. was feeling which was the fattest.' "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Pray tell us what has happened to you." course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be copied or distributed: "Pray do so." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest felt the room to be a little close.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made to a more successful conclusion." tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and again on its way. those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" The King stared at him in amazement. to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." the coronet in his hand?" freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of down from London to inquire more deeply into it." because she had spent so short a time in this country that she room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the "Which surely he restored to their owner?" country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be detained." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. the drawer? With trembling hands I undid my trunk, turned out the "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without written. I think that I could be of assistance to you." "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "He might." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" present strange and interesting features that it is no easy down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent formed some opinion?" in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; matter over." "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it tell him that I know him to be innocent." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Literary Archive Foundation compunction about shooting them down." he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on as this. Pray let me have the details." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one "Was the window open?" "But you were on a friendly footing?" "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow figure." "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "So I heard. You have him here?" at once, for I have only half an hour." "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security strong reason behind." "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not here." next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, residence of the great financier. "Awake, Watson?" he asked. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his morning." Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. your equipment. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point fear." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well long narrative. "It looks newer than the other things?" Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white hour?' matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I manager. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as are, I think, all that we need." "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Was your sister dressed?" was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself."