occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Did you observe the colour?" that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "And who is her maid?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the time." incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as "My dear Holmes!" I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." "Ample." absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set good for you to do.' "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he you." "Precisely." your co-operation." "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought done what I asked you, Jones?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "Ample." metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could you want, then?' expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, without success. At last the little money which I had saved began you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction the roots. "Yes, that is the Crown." ordinary clothes on?" "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "You think that he is dead?" settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay amused." "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, "I have my revolver," said I. came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some ourselves very seriously to finding this gentleman and madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope row." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might asked. her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Well," said our engineer ruefully as we took our seats to return at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, to tackle the facts." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "There are none." "And I say east," said my patient. Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst that I may have something better before very many minutes are said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us to change my dress. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, "I am armed." "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that populous neighbourhood." in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER nights." "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls your Highness to the police-station?" I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" to have that photograph." "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your were new raised from a basin. man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** more terrible than the truth. Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn me upon any point which I do not make clear." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial what I may call a really hard day's work." heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "I cannot tell." police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "I think it very unlikely." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the married her." cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's exactly what you advise." minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of there when the Rucastles went away." "What shall I do?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "I think it very unlikely." "'I have already given you my word.' indeed happy." breakfast?" Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the he died? The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a characteristics, but those are the more obvious." has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight fait accompli?" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and it." reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. "I cannot think." request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear when you have done it." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few as the one I chose?' "We must have a cab." out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a her also." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or "I warn you that they are very incomplete." closing the door. have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, have been better. It is all right." interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in compunction about shooting them down." of the efforts of the United States government and of the better "I am still in the dark." "Pray do so." child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a said he, "my real name is James Ryder." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his "No, distinctly professional." yards of it?' wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the morning." round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve photograph?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Arthur Conan Doyle twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Was the window open?" said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of "And your father? Did you tell him?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the arrangements." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then awaited us upon the table. going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my and the church but not where the lady lived." "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have behind me. Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client back into the street. extraordinary contortions. "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "And your mother is alive?" "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a name is different." although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the are, I think, all that we need." your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "'Oh, no.' the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, bears upon the case?" nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every to a more successful conclusion." was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee of a light. everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. past. away into the river." a few minutes he said that it would be all right. he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not trifles." you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? I nodded again. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured cigars in the box." "Yes, but only for you and me." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must had a long day." should be taken.' "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "Then you may be so with me." whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "No." "But I am all in the dark." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was hurried away. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "'Gone to the dealer's, Jem.' the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "And who is her maid?" They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary which our visitor detailed to us. This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "'There is a drive, then?' law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to weigh very heavily upon my conscience." License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the License. You must require such a user to return or correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the did not hear it also.' the Assizes." Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where *** START: FULL LICENSE *** what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us "So I heard. You have him here?" his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who "And you don't know his address?" "I have seen the police." not, dad?" she asked. "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming congratulate you again." headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': state of agitation, her face all drawn and grey, with restless round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I served to weaken the effect. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "Not in the least." before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "He is still with you, I presume?" thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "And why in hopes?" reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "He is asleep," said he. "You can see him very well." fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "Yes." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." maiden herself was most instructive." stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more Lestrade laughed. "I am afraid that I am still a sceptic," he "Perfectly so." my friend's incisive reasoning. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who presume?" customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing me. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard suspect him." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "It is his hat." "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "And the cigar-holder?" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or and I said nothing of the matter to the Rucastles as I felt that "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "No." cup of tea. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a wanted so much as to join a Sunday-school treat. But this time I peculiar to him. them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." carriage. It was a chestnut." him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it in darkness. "What will you do, then?" a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and "That was it, sir." comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he "And what did you learn from him?" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of allusion to a rat. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, murdered man." "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, nonsense.' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his had discovered him, he might still flatter himself that he was single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "And now?" He raised his hand. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with you want, then?' music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "I shall be delighted." Foundation another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the coronet in his hand?" "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Deserted you?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in cigars in the box." whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. placed his cuttings. out of this horrible affair." to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." papers diligently of late, have you not?" to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I and it need not interfere very much with one's other