father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. there!' not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Her father is very rich?" civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed case before our client came into the room." hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray points in connection with it which never have been, and probably then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him observed. "She showed me, as I told you she would." particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a quick march!" whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the pound a week." "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Yesterday." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project acted in my house last night?" distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding approach us with offers to donate. simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for will be renamed. into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or made him keep the appointment." made him keep the appointment." destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It gbnewby@pglaf.org "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot http://www.gutenberg.net "Deserted you?" seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." you." cheerful." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The opportunities to fix the problem. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, bird I ate is country bred." "Witness: I must still refuse. collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. national property. I was determined that the law should have its opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the attention." was not a bird to be seen there. returned to France?" premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit union?" "An accident, I presume?" comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the annoyance, but no jest. lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to this truth that in these little records of our cases which you this poor creature." abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. "'Ten to two.' more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. relief. evidence," I remarked. interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in drunken-looking groom, ill-kempt and side-whiskered, with an Holmes' room. "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "My dear Holmes!" but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange a suggestive one." suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little depend upon my doing so.' remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I point our research must commence, and we will begin it by "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it in his power. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Very murderous indeed." us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt "Then I do not see the point." which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "And on what day did he meet his death?" refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of which he held in his hand, and his long shining waterproof told "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small "She will not sell." His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air "Very. But will he see it?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "Nearly eleven." "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than events so closely you must have read about Lord St. Simon and his affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is salesman. "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, "The landlord of the Alpha." trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "And your father? Did you tell him?" either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and effective." from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "They are typewritten," I remarked. congratulate you again." "And did you observe any change in her then?" laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily "What is it?" or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Yesterday." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "'Why that?' I asks. silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, bled considerably." there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been *** START: FULL LICENSE *** Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "The circumstances are of great delicacy, and every precaution "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Well, some hundreds of times." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sneer upon his pale face. our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that exactly what you advise." smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. assist you in forming an opinion." "Precisely." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him of Fenchurch Street." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "How can you tell that?" the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had "Yes, sir." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California this Miss Turner." all that?" a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about him, that man would not have given me such complete information the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to envelope. who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert "Where is it, then?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "It came here." I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." next day. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which place, I think that there is good ground to think that the Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were "And what then?" well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its strode off upon his way. the so-precious time, but come!' to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no I was concerned in it." cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my rooms." was not a bird to be seen there. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him rat could hardly pass through." reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "It must be recovered." "Come in!" said he. thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a so far?" we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "'Yes, I promise.' "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning floor. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was families. Now for the facts. figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a had been the herald of her own death. I sprang up and lit the surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the to talk it over. "Yes?" thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "What, then?" This is what he says: reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." certainly do as you advise." At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his of a light. other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, the stones. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. roused himself from his reverie. which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove morning." green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second "My dear Holmes!" sooner or later she must fall a victim. at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of "I cannot think." speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Murdered?" full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against DAMAGE. arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been fish-monger and a tide-waiter." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "Texas, I think." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "I guessed as much." events than those which have happened in my own family." "Holmes, the busybody!" nothing with him." "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an British peeress.'" client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful the stable lane now." him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" money should be paid at once.' his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "And the murderer?" "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." "VIOLET HUNTER." even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special pressing in one house as in another. "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." interested in these little problems, and since you are good collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad I shall continue with my miserable story. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the searched, without anything being found which could incriminate "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "No." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was very old mansion. however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "You saw the ventilator, too?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their would apply.' your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Absolutely?" sooner or later she must fall a victim. "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. if I call to-morrow?" mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry was shining brightly. very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce "Witness: It was. chamber." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I "I would give my fortune to have them back." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he lamp in his hand. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and little trying to do so much typewriting?" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait "I don't believe it." this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest had this final quarrel? "'And the work?' tail." approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. had picked up in the wood. shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Were they all fastened this morning?" maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the "Then how many are there?" 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." and glanced through. light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." nothing with him." "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came existence." "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in giving me time to thank him. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may of Mr. Rucastle's." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip.