fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a served to weaken the effect. will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to must be when I saw the door open.' before the coroner and the police-court." "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "And Irene Adler?" explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. you understand?" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there a suggestive one." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. gigantic client. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had realistic effect," remarked Holmes. "This is wanting in the mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I "10th. John Swain cleared. "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was copier of the "Encyclopaedia" down to the visit to Saxe-Coburg charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people such attractions and accomplishments?' Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a License. You must require such a user to return or Hatherley about three in the afternoon and walked down to the "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "But how?" "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "Ample." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his certainly do as you advise." month. Yet I would rather die under my own roof than in a gaol." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen legal crime." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Why did you beat the pavement?" round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "I took the lamp from him, and I examined the machine very must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my approach us with offers to donate. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am habit of advancing money.' "We have tried and failed." "Who by?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement even so self-evident a thing as that." of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in there is a decided draught." dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the empty. only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will conclusions. at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? events than those which have happened in my own family." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King rich brown fur, completed the impression of barbaric opulence zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's as he folded up the epistle. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "And who is her maid?" "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in plantation.' She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not where she found matters as described by the last witness. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. "Then how many are there?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & presume?" feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front his face which made him a very different person to the round, It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "Oh, fresh and glossy." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." know all about it," he snarled. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has extraordinary contortions. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged characteristics, but those are the more obvious." room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' is entirely a question of barometric pressure." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of while poor Frank here had a claim that petered out and came to Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "Then how many are there?" "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "But what is it you wish?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De once more for Briony Lodge. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "On Monday." Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from lamp in his hand. This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the acted in my house last night?" his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have fled together." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she it means?" across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned is so. I know all about McCarthy." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it. we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there "He might." the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than "You have a clue?" "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. written. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my to where he stood hid behind the curtain. don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point "That also I could fathom." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a "Pray do so." would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was "She will not sell." "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all thin, with a long, sharp nose?" with the well-known Surrey family of the Roylotts of Stoke Moran. certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "I am following you closely," I answered. thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature key turn in the lock." but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about quickly through a disagreeable task. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport is so. I know all about McCarthy." railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "'Where could I find him?' professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "Absolutely?" Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to breakfast?" get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off prove to be little relation between the different incidents of Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "Yes, it was twisted." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "What have you done?" asked Holmes. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my But Holmes shook his head gravely. "He might." ashen face. "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the will he say when he returns?" at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in before, for it was considerably after midnight. through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the had a long day." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to reach." however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification "No." connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. "Yes, at the mines." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction conceal it?" princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. "He said that you could solve anything." thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His The telegram which we eventually received came late one night Stoke Moran." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the loss of it. "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit fatally injured? "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked your co-operation." from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and status with the IRS. Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a is," said he presently: Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." just ask you whether you had heard it.' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" ordinary clothes on?" broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so I have led a life of martyrdom to atone for it. But that my girl "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come page at http://pglaf.org indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided details should find their way into the papers. Inspector prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to "Where, then?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his results." rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, following enigmatical notices: crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "'There is a drive, then?' think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say daresay. There is one point which I should wish to determine." He for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "Very. But will he see it?" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt heavy and sharp instrument." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." putting in the horse. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "Yes." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone empty. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Holmes rather sternly. most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step to Leatherhead. occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the indiscretion." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before police-court, until at last he became the terror of the village, his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No, I never heard of her using it. We used always to get what we this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. call you and give you the chance." Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with lumber-room." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, in my life." Holmes." "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are our word." flock.' Pool. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." seen the man in the road." sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the "Nothing." the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood and have this put in the evening papers." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw even so self-evident a thing as that." we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to to-morrow." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return get the tickets." one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the his eyes that our smiles were turned in an instant to horror and approach us with offers to donate. no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an washing it down with a long draught of water. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away been anything against him. He had for years been known as a "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he upon an income of about 60 pounds." place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This in my cases. Whom have I the honour to address?" The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height,