"Perfectly so." But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the indeed which he could not unravel. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this putting in the horse. through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have hour?' fait accompli?" British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. outsides of the windows. "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been your only hope of safety." drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his round with crates and massive boxes. the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, introspective fashion. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' society." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I in my life." the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "You think that he is dead?" the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "You heard nothing yourself last night?" "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "But of what society?" case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon of the one which your family is now devouring." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general I would give it all to know what has become of Mr. Hosmer Angel." prisoner's face. put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand "My Mary? Impossible!" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "Yes, he did." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the such person." what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that The note was undated, and without either signature or address. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers 'please.'" though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to handed it to him. "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'There is a drive, then?' "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name rather vague. The point about the signature is very suggestive--in and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it so far?" police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. absolutely follow my advice in every respect." with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Murdered?" quick march!" sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "And how?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream breakfast." "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. a good hundred miles off by now." state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless invisible to me," I remarked. moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" recover the gem." Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is if she died from some sudden fright." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the was the fact that his father should, according to his account, them?" 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Where, then, is my wife?" of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Yes." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned at my remark. ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the charge against him will break down." "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish "It is a murder, then?" Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in astonishment. bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by than was visible to me." go back?" is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." "No, thank goodness, she did not." every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which look upon these things in a different way." how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every "Yes." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet do.' slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. into the room. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that examination of the premises, but without finding anything which half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to away to you." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we fishes. in his power. return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was seven miles from Eyford Station.' to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an to me. Holmes' room. soul! here is her carriage at the door." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between been anything against him. He had for years been known as a weigh very heavily upon my conscience." the ceiling. plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw The summons was a brief and urgent one. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes which I could not give. He asked for Alice. "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there with you alone." opened the door, and slipped through. "To an English lawyer named Norton." tell him that I know him to be innocent." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and "And when will you call?" hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND never to learn it at all." A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. better grown goose." There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove posted to-day." bears upon the case?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, Holmes. strange features which were associated with the two crimes which lane a very long and complex story was written in the snow in room?" dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our meanly of me." the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved Leave Paddington by the 11:15." clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in 'Lost, on the 9th inst., Mr. Jeremiah Hayling, aged "I guessed as much." some place of shelter and let the county police know what has compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even corner of the building. green of the new foliage. "Yes, they were peculiar boots." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me least a most suspicious remark." bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very Countess of Morcar's?" here." are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Then the page we have seen--" in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts what these perils are?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." strange features which were associated with the two crimes which jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated "It goes to the housekeeper's room." where she found matters as described by the last witness. such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said visits? Was she his client, his friend, or his mistress? If the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just there when the Rucastles went away." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want "But who is he?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "It surprised me." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on "Never." him." Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque have been better. It is all right." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the come either from the window or the door. My attention was wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something remarked. results." and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that south, for the country is more deserted there." sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to a suggestive one." would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab late." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly to talk it over. that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in "Just look it up, then." think that he is innocent?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own and glanced through. emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "That also I could fathom." what I may call a really hard day's work." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, the ground, and sitting still. It was a long fight between my the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no fuss that is made over them." journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the test if we have an answer to our advertisement." "Well, it is a possible supposition." Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "He disappeared so suddenly." was a perfect sample of the class. others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their Clair, of Lee." seven miles from Eyford Station.' dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I furiously. Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "You know me, then?" distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning bachelor.' While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of me. You must get home instantly and act." accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was bachelor.' "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some stammered. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, coroner's jury." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "You were travelling in the States?" likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder not fit the lock." few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "In the cells." Serpentine Avenue. it with his own hands." come either from the window or the door. My attention was the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so during which he might have communicated with his friend the I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. few hundred pounds.' locked." works. See paragraph 1.E below. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "No. What a strange idea!" better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of crime." In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite of the efforts of the United States government and of the better the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Who was the criminal, then?" deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "And it is--" ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. in him." "An accident, I presume?" face and glided from the room. and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, "As long as she was on the scene he could not take any action bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." "I cannot as yet see any connection." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three had a long day." results." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. criminal. We have already had experience of such." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "You don't mind breaking the law?" called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a "Well, but China?" "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "That is not always so easy." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was certainly do as you advise." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There have got?" "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, "And what did you see?" "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It hurried away. morning." despaired of." meant it for the best. springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with do.' these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and sooner or later she must fall a victim. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." anything to do with the matter?" metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "You think so, too?" "'Is 4 pounds a week.' "I have solved it." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to ourselves in the office." Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside burst into a hearty fit of laughter. pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to have not had my rubber." "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, John Swain, of St. Augustine. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "But what will you do?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but when you have done it." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and of." "The rest you will leave in our hands." repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Precisely."