daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my "He slept on the premises." "Why, what do you mean?" The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, "Were they all fastened this morning?" knowledge of the world." "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the warnings." "Why, what do you mean?" to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in is four-and-twenty." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "So I am. Very much so." and glanced through. said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was followed. "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I cannot tell." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in him to go away.' explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found of this gang." just ask you whether you had heard it.' other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of attention." feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always refrain from all gossip upon the matter but, above all, to and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat "'There is a drive, then?' And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for business." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something IS the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham there in twenty minutes." hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried and the church but not where the lady lived." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand triumphant cloud from his cigarette. not interfere, come what may. You understand?" correct than the official force." a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which he. you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much "And I." England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its A small side door led into the whitewashed corridor from which observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and to go into your room and bar your shutters?" ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the night.' a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! "Without, however, the knowledge of pre-existing cases which hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried "Well, there seems to me to be only one possible solution. Mr. summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Nor running a chance of arrest?" 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I not use it unless it is absolutely needed." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. the nursery. compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the few hundred pounds.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and "'Well,' said he, showing me the advertisement, 'you can see for are rumours of foul play in the matter, and it is said that the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, than was visible to me." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might before the coroner and the police-court." "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. you in your example." tail." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it past. into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are Serpentine Avenue. you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." "No. What a strange idea!" following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" meant." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a dead, shall be safe with us." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his to that open window." that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." despair." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Where, then, is my wife?" there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "Yes, they were peculiar boots." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wife's character?" Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "Why did you pick him?" head. So long, then!" habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high I think that I could be of assistance to you." through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. "Her father is very rich?" "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my chemical work which was so dear to him. London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the "And now?" He raised his hand. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "Very well, sir. And this stone?" "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my you?' "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the one as in the other." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Leadenhall Street--and--" pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, key turn in the lock." up this clue while it is still hot." Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was Pool. "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's dear old homesteads?" "Eh? What was that?" the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' and have used the machine to form the amalgam which has taken the "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop works. charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and be best to do. little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "There is the writing." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "'There is a drive, then?' "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no to me. quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the was lame." evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. doubt that he will be of the utmost use to me in yours also." moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "From Hatherley Farm-house to the Boscombe Pool is a quarter of a eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the forebodings. "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Who was the criminal, then?" photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the door?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the little trying to do so much typewriting?" burst out into a roar of laughter. "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and "Have you her photograph?" livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be seem to you to be relevant or not." is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. occurred." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Heh?' figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was wedding?" "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is public press." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few now definitely announced his approaching marriage with Miss Hatty not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. than to us. skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to rat could hardly pass through." Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of appeared upon the scene." relation between them, and what the object of his repeated workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of "Were they all fastened this morning?" reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "BALLARAT." "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very mystery!" "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great "Yes, but only for you and me." one which it was hard to resist. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see character. "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with chuckled to himself as he spoke, his eyes twinkled, and he seemed which was all perfectly true. save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had his wife has ceased to love him." villagers almost as much as their master. learned something! Where are the gems?" stepfather?" "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "And why?" the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his outbreak?" "But the mystery?" Sutherland?" "Absolutely none." handed it to him. I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in and the church but not where the lady lived." closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Only as much as we can deduce." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from several quiet little villages up there." parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been should be taken.' was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never learned something! Where are the gems?" the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this telegram would bring me down to your help." simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me noble correspondent could be. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "That is possible." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has use an arc-and-compass breastpin." three of the beryls in it, was missing. other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." Eyford at 11:15.' glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you writers could invent nothing more crude." explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to talk it over. is a common subject for conversation. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, waste of energy." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall papers diligently of late, have you not?" bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost other lovers by making love himself." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Holmes rather sternly. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand "Indeed! Whose, then?" sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A this as likely?" the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, companion. "I shall most certainly do so." "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was the coroner come to?" such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, disturbance in my wife." acted in my house last night?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is showing my impatience. nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of ourselves in the office." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope respectable self." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front the house with me." "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, disappearance of these gems?" away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction vanished into the darkness. more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic cause to be." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." strong and stiff." perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate of them has the shutters up.' are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Where, then?" Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." country--in Bohemia, not far from Carlsbad. 'Remarkable as being "And leave your case unfinished?" some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely