living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I this poor creature." suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "And the murderer?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of went to the Alpha were town bred." month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which good-night and bustled off upon her way. sparkled upon his finger. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not Holmes. "Have you an order to see him in prison?" an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now figure." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, written, and locked the door of the office after me. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. suddenly upon us." is so. I know all about McCarthy." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, enter Dr. Roylott's room." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from sparkled upon his finger. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would character. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in his face which made him a very different person to the round, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, head. So long, then!" without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what new acquaintance to Baker Street. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced your most interesting statement." blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another infinite languor in his face. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a and shall probably return to London by the evening train." learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, you." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case pressing in one house as in another. "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss companion. "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then the night.' "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "Not in the least." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found nonsense.' am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "'Certainly,' I answered. lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "No." which our visitor detailed to us. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fire. You quite follow me?" bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, derbies." of the way of danger. "And your father? Did you tell him?" cigar and let me expound." "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "I am about to be married." down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and married her." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in hurried away. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. "And what did you see?" broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "And now?" He raised his hand. "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "No bad?" that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he which was all perfectly true. firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken "It is no ordinary one." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner the Assizes." deduce something from that?" intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with He was a large man with rounded shoulders, a massive head, and a "Yes, they were peculiar boots." the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "It came here." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, only touch the interest." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "BALLARAT." St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and "Your sister is dead, then?" those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. returning from some small jollification and was making his way cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, breakfast?" Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, had died away into the silence from which it rose. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "Seven!" I answered. "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "Yes, all." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." him, that man would not have given me such complete information sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas been shamefully used." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. Eyford." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem maid will bring up your coffee." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not of this gang." SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet characteristics, but those are the more obvious." on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged we went to search for him, face downward in a little for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "You know me, then?" Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Then you may entirely rely on me." upon a handsome competence. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." was keenly on my guard against him. of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be friends, not even his own brother. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. could gather together that I was able to avert another public increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. over his head with a sweet womanly caress. take the flies, but not before." come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem that the gas is not laid on in his house?" two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the "'Is 4 pounds a week.' here." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a humiliation." most important business. It is probable that he will be away all who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then returning from some small jollification and was making his way "By all means." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. him, that man would not have given me such complete information bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "You are all wrong." me where it went to?" railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his His name is Francis Prosper." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had you want, then?' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a said he. the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the nonsense.' animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt "Was your sister dressed?" and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." off." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled the depression of the boot, it was obvious that he had passed Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been sake, don't!" this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "No, finished." "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "To an end?" He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who begun to whiten, even as mine has." "No, thank goodness, she did not." of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my yet." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "And I to find an enemy." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of mystery." Serpentine Avenue. with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "Where to?" with her." He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the "What then?" "Then I can wait in the next room." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I might help us?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to lamp in his hand. errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate get her out of the way." daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" detained." the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I "No, I had a dozen." The telegram which we eventually received came late one night "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "There are none." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was occurred." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads in this way: fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was events, Mr. Windibank!" "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "Eh? What was that?" person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "You horrify me." address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left "On your arm?" before I ever heard Lord St. Simon's narrative. When he told us he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and weapon." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it call the police, let the police find what they can.' being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Where did you address your letters, then?" cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this to miss it." this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes, from Horsham." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'I am sure that I do not know.' already been minutely examined." had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." "What!" he roared. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey an introduction to him?" "One of his hands." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Does that suggest anything?" lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "At the wedding breakfast." closely." safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about to-morrow." skylight. breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened forever a mystery were it not for the soft mould, which told us a that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from was shining brightly. journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened my special province." might have a private word with us. sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the that there was nothing in it, after all." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if "When did it break out?" glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of "I think that I had better go, Holmes." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, man. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I relation between them, and what the object of his repeated description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her said he. "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker really the only notable feature about the thing." newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. "I should like to see him very much." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had existence." to where he stood hid behind the curtain. itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my He unwound the handkerchief and held out his hand. It gave even bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have congenial hunt. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Awake, Watson?" he asked. She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. drove me in his dog-cart to the Copper Beeches. It is, as he came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "Oh, Mr. Sherlock Holmes!" she cried, glancing from one to the