"If so, much may have happened between." A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted morning." the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their "And you don't know his address?" "Yes, sir." good for you to do.' showing my impatience. dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." approach us with offers to donate. dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that or other trace. But how on earth--" "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting "I shall most certainly do so." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be locked. flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a window when the police appeared." Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "'Certainly not. But why?' "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to attention." data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you "But we can't all be." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "And did you observe any change in her then?" "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such in his power. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "How can you tell that?" "9th. McCauley cleared. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story case-book, which he consulted. Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey good-night and bustled off upon her way. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed the very morning of the wedding." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." again, where I was soon asleep. your billet.' fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." "And your mother is alive?" peculiar to him. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Of Friday, June 19th." occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it Project Gutenberg-tm works. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his him to go away.' with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution detective. that he will be back before evening." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the was lame." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "It is possible." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge "Well." knowledge of the world." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" joking. "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed my special province." preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Why? What do you mean?" heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again for and were ordered to this address. air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" think you a quite exceptional woman." "But I am all in the dark." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is entirely devoid of interest." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary some little use," he remarked. "'L'homme c'est rien--l'oeuvre twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, Mary, has deserted me." frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was did not hear it also.' 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "How did you deduce the select?" Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the "The vanishing of the lady." same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two indeed happy." noting anything else of interest. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. him!" "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, into her hand at the door and which lured her within their passage and a tap at the door. looking up at the numbers of the houses." cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his into her hand at the door and which lured her within their were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of I shall continue with my miserable story. been." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. his face which made him a very different person to the round, "They are typewritten," I remarked. was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, Beyond these signs of his activity, however, which I merely hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client but preventing her from injuring another. "You have but to name it." room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an Doctor, of the paper and the date." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand Countess of Morcar's?" up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked here and I will read it to you: "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." light and attacked it." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera woman." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the warren which is upon the other side. On my way I saw William us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to talk it over. sufficient punishment." "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be "'Ample.' will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at "Dark enough and sinister enough." another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay which should have the effect of calling the attention of the he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever voice. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the golden eyeglasses. there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "You have a clue?" "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always could not account in any way for the presence of the missing and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the "'About the same.' which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Awake, Watson?" he asked. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, of it with the greatest attention. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so footfalls from the street. was perfectly simple. You, of course, saw that everyone in the "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's Street. the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered that he will be back before evening." wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this such person." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "Pray continue your narrative." "Eh? What was that?" face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his place, I think that there is good ground to think that the the King without delay." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have cigar and let me expound." which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "Here?" contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in the dangers which encompass me." "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of "He is dead," cried several voices. Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past relation between them, and what the object of his repeated that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project Pool. hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons appeared upon the scene." I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism chance at all." lumber-room." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself presented which may be striking and bizarre without being Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards humiliation." "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? trifles." I approached. of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the have had none more fantastic than this." guilty parties." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from upon the white wrist. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly conceal it?" "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any returning from some small jollification and was making his way which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It certainly sounds feasible." did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." During two years I have had three consultations and one small Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently again before evening." father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly good-night and bustled off upon her way. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or gentleman's clothes. King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his "Of what?" prove to be little relation between the different incidents of first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a during which he might have communicated with his friend the call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the someone who had been in Australia." everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand morning." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be meanly of me." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke of Fenchurch Street." There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "Witness: I must still refuse. weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his sound at heart." "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as and the church but not where the lady lived." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" other means.' "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It is to him that this trophy belongs." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to business." "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave own family. "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of not fit the lock." his cane at the bell-pull. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. against my wishes. Twice my boy has asked her to marry him, for Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. pity, because in other respects you would really have done very certainly do as you advise." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Most admirably.' address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. Munro.' the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that invisible to me," I remarked. other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever gone. low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little