he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern to tell." as this. Pray let me have the details." "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of tapping his fingers upon the table. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very about. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen himself to tell his story. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black During two years I have had three consultations and one small to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." true." true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "When you combine the ideas of whistles at night, the presence of quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we wedding?" younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew him nearly every evening." cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I will do it." "And how in the world did you find them?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your upon an income of about 60 pounds." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in confronted him. all that?" and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." the loss of it. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker made his money." learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple promised to bring home. "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately compositor by his left thumb, care about the finer shades of "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Of what day?" ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his security.' "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him unprecedented a position." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two think that any burglar could have done. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "'And the work?' themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact "From his hat?" "What of the rat, then?" door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, were wasted." sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they for its centre. own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his any more." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a out of this horrible affair." "Was she in good spirits?" overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "Why, what do you mean?" "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands business at Coburg Square is serious." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a "That also I could fathom." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "Well, it is a possible supposition." you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "But how will you look?" "But I am all in the dark." I was concerned in it." some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As think that he is innocent?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw "My private note-paper." of it with the greatest attention. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the the stable lane now." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger there in twenty minutes." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point there has been an enclosure here!" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the a room. "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." companion. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an carried out of court." her also." garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round This is what he says: "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "No." chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I is a common subject for conversation. of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. written. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of ill-usage at the hands of fortune. among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and something of him before." "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me "No legal papers or certificates?" before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "But she will refuse." the matter?" and prosperity to your house. Good-night." claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" friend's singular character. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there bachelor.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know thin legs towards the fire. as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the yourselves in at night?" "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very your equipment. "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." "No." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the thin legs towards the fire. Surrey." "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every to-night?' deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" assist you in forming an opinion." that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the morning." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "A call for help, you thought?" again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little been with you?" more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any at home. ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not in this way: was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came as noiselessly as she had come. "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as do.' when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted towards the blaze. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "That is unusual in a young girl." it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before married her." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small lumber-room." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same his knees, staring into the fire. "Nor running a chance of arrest?" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "My dear Holmes!" set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to lids now and glanced across at his visitor. other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Certainly not. But why?' his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "The murder was done with it." lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from heavy and sharp instrument." adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. the foot-path over the fields. There it is, where the lady is chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' death." myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the views." four million human beings all jostling each other within the which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' populous neighbourhood." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with whether it answered to the description of any of their upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt "'I have heard so.' a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into "I am to be neutral?" ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Certainly." "Did he not advertise?" I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some IS zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest one which it was hard to resist. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the weapon." "You have but to name it." guilty one." the date of his supposed suicide." inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and or in danger--" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has copied or distributed: shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the tail." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, one of the states of the Union." "My dear Holmes!" from you?" unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. habit of advancing money.' particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step "That you are never beaten." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, back to my heart. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass considering the formidable letters which were received by himself young Openshaw's." waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, hurried by. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "That is unusual in a young girl." "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended "Not in a good cause." Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man address. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was was the fact that his father should, according to his account, been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. dramatic, in fact." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a head. So long, then!" Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several "You horrify me!" "I fear not." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the characteristics, but those are the more obvious." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage was feeling which was the fattest.' ran thus: centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the then?" speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this said he at last. thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." "'Yes, it was gone.' notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel prison!" There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "None." PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying "Very truly yours, to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from to affect your life." weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet was shining brightly. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that best detective that ever lived. suddenly upon us." which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to him." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement jewels which you have stolen?' It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "I have my revolver," said I. respectable self." "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your ways including including checks, online payments and credit card had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Ample." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Really! You surprise me." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few where we are going." to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he "It came here." "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you This is what he says: to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. in darkness. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your to that open window." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if chance at all." making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious McCarthy's innocence. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now