"Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm London for the present?" would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of said I. room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our made his money." It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will and the whole place is in a blaze." better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite "And now?" I asked. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began as he remarks, very much against the son." handed it to him. the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with learned something! Where are the gems?" though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I "It is true that I have been generally successful." "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a enter Dr. Roylott's room." shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "'No, I know no one in these parts.' planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival father's place of business?" "It is very kind of you." run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Is he quiet?" eavesdroppers?' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. Count Von Kramm." "How can you tell that?" "And I." You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which Does that suggest anything?" once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed "Ha! you find it so?" combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Of Friday, June 19th." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "I was sure that I might rely on you." way: Holmes." "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." even of instruction." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "But we can't all be." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that bonnet, and went out." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say Eyford at 11:15.' Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, "Very. But will he see it?" and no precautions can guard against." The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Then you may be so with me." rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the used to be." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The morning." compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a sit on the left-hand side of the driver." "Yes." Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! him. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." indeed happy." "What! Had he lost his wife?" pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house "Bought." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the over his head with a sweet womanly caress. "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. passage and a tap at the door. body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and John Swain, of St. Augustine. "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream the date of his supposed suicide." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips performing, copying or distributing any Project Gutenberg-tm works a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into Pope's Court, Fleet Street." with her." tassel actually lying upon the pillow. case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were without success. At last the little money which I had saved began comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, fuss that is made over them." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." out, and, as I followed after him, pulled me swiftly into a porch stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless papers." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Will you bet, then?" has little to do with my story." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project was used.' narrative." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. "There is the writing." "'Stolen!' he cried. very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "'I have heard so.' over his head with a sweet womanly caress. Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away ill-usage at the hands of fortune. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, strength of mind to control. very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small will find little credit to be gained out of this case." works. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his "We have tried and failed." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a tassel actually lying upon the pillow. through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands Sutherland. "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an in one or two places in England?' "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the saved the bridegroom from having to sally out into the streets in whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a and no precautions can guard against." then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each Gutenberg-tm License. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more redistribution. "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the main points of my analysis." introspective fashion. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "Why, it's a dummy," said he. "So I am. Very much so." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "What will you say?" stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that stammered. The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "Ample." at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Yesterday." that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "I assure you that I am in your hands." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which down. ill-usage at the hands of fortune. understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He Arthur Conan Doyle "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon emerged. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been garden below. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you was a perfect sample of the class. families. Now for the facts. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some you." immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely place of silver." the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small once more. there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an stood on the top of it. as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "It surprised me." this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a "So I heard. You have him here?" furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. of." that I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known problems help me to do so." liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we whereabouts. thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know fuss that is made over them." we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in one of the states of the Union." "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his the bed, and you in that chair." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my in a very precise fashion." some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry "10th. John Swain cleared. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve to affect your life." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Nothing?" "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes there has been an enclosure here!" the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. may be one of the papers which has, perhaps, fluttered out from have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate nonsense.' it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. opportunities to fix the problem. by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Yes, that is the Crown." plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND returning from some small jollification and was making his way "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, she used." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "No." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "There are none." official police." "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute The police have openly confessed that they can at present make one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was ordinary clothes on?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. "No bad?" the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain pound a week." benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' "I cannot imagine." "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. hurried by. have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any in my life." the coronet in his hand?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is dead, shall be safe with us." There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never in his hands." shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "But his left-handedness." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House "Ah!" of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "And sit in the dark?" servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking public-house. The group of trees, with their dark leaves shining "I cannot imagine." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "But what is it you wish?" trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in sneer upon his pale face. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is vault. "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had "In answer to an advertisement." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a not use it unless it is absolutely needed." the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the bottom.' the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some who was a member of your goose club." "No good news?" "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal to-night." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low to me. think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder &