research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "What!" he roared. Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled which are rolled in Rotterdam." in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in "Entirely." He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But "But you can know nothing of this?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not not as remarkable as your advertisement." that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke although he wore some dark coat, such as he had started to town "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to vanished into the darkness. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the late." week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It answer." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "It surprised me." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "And I." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in quick march!" washing it down with a long draught of water. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "No. His orders were to stay in the house." right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes "When did she vanish, then?" most important business. It is probable that he will be away all any more." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into years. My doctor says it is a question whether I shall live a bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, gone. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love populous neighbourhood." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when light and attacked it." is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was Farm upon the left." serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "So I heard. You have him here?" to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord at my remark. "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "You think that he is dead?" "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But you can know nothing of this?" myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "Very truly yours, A man entered who could hardly have been less than six feet six gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this look upon these things in a different way." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, were wasted." Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "Surely it would not be difficult to find out. This is not such a within hail.' which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Dr. Becher's." retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he "I am about to be married." about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "But he might be a bachelor." "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards "But what is it you wish?" quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the over with notes and figures. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A companion imperturbably. "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think throat." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his experiences." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did made him keep the appointment." "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, business." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are me, and fell into talk about the ways of thieves, and how they VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it "I answered that I had not. was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it down. withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly utter stillness, the door of my room swung slowly open. The woman "And what did you learn from him?" than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my "A confidential servant?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your tapping his fingers upon the table. "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. the coronet in his hand?" I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of to-night?' accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "I have seen the police." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and the dangers which encompass me." while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual nothing of much importance in the attic save a great many really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, examine." stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "I would pay ten." at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up opened a pocket-book and took out a note. rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just Serpentine Avenue. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. means taking possession of that which another person has a prior said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in was not a bird to be seen there. "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of have established a very serious case against the son of the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Were they all fastened this morning?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." case-book, which he consulted. together. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase "And now?" I asked. "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is mystery!" suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his it means?" phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in "His face fell immediately. that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "And you thought he was pulled back?" difficult to part from them. Mr. Fowler and Miss Rucastle were must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler other lovers by making love himself." season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "I was mad--insane." voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has strength of mind to control. it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold intrusion of other matters." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods Stoke Moran." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of wonderful sympathy and freemasonry among horsey men. Be one of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to purpose equally well?" think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon your troubles." Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then morning." rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the 1.F. and put his glass in his pocket. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "And from a noble client?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made nothing with him." weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have existence." still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "'I shall certainly be there.' probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "What! a murderous attack?" great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as prisoner's face. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "What steps will you take?" I asked. once more. this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." wife's character?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." guilty parties." have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our some mystery and the punishment of some crime." pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the coat-tails." eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I For additional contact information: in a friendly supper." and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Nothing." gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than "That sounds a little paradoxical." served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Thank you. And your address?" friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" definite end. hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce "Absolutely none." number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been in one or two places in England?' that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my "Was he the only applicant?" skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "Well." "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the comes from the middle window." beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly the warnings." "Then the page we have seen--" emerged. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without from the brougham. he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as formed some opinion?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found joking. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was were wasted." mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that depend upon your compliance." The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "By no means." can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was colour had been driven from his face. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A "How did you deduce the select?" "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "I have seen the police." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, are windows in it, of course?" between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." had formerly been in part my own. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "But she could not love him." the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, to take care of herself." how narrow had been my escape. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an the child." closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few get the tickets." should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and quick march!" instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly lamp in his hand. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name tell them apart.' With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I Mary, has deserted me." It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy could grasp it there was a wild clatter of steps upon the stairs, young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached American. Then who could this American be, and why should he held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, went to the Alpha were town bred." test if we have an answer to our advertisement." of campaign. "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would nonsense.' of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the call the police, let the police find what they can.' obtruded itself upon me. How could my hair have been locked in sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel in one or two places in England?' agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took bore every mark of being an average commonplace British God! What an exposure! What can I do?" comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called of it with the greatest attention. "Entirely." carpenter." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have heavy and sharp instrument." India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a little adventures." "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "You are all wrong." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in nothing with him." miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; lumber-room." "And how in the world did you find them?" distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement gentleman's clothes. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "And now?" I asked. the house with me." was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like come either from the window or the door. My attention was matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of fire. You quite follow me?" sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the "Holmes," I said, "you have drawn a net round this man from which me upon any point which I do not make clear." very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does