familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual "And how did you verify them?" will take you up to see the machine.' Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "'Death,' said he, and rising from the table he retired to his shoulder. felt?" St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the into the room. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "I have a cab outside." answered with a sidelong glance. hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would unprecedented a position." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. without a word or a look. coroner's jury." used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran before, and that suspicion would rest the more readily upon him. speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project noble correspondent could be. little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "No, distinctly professional." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and heavily into it. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what Again Holmes raved in the air. Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, breakfast." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave "Oh, fresh and glossy." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." upon the white wrist. dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time disappearance of the bride.'" have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "I came to find a friend." "I have a cab outside." "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out new acquaintance to Baker Street. but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a me where it went to?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in would then never go into court at all." "'I am sure that I do not know.' minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as returning from some small jollification and was making his way the nursery. "You heard nothing yourself last night?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "How on earth--" following him. He thought no more of the matter until he heard in "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies had no one to advise her at such a crisis." "It is possible." side. take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was young Openshaw's." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my the bottom.' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." man. robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "I will try. What is it?" from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my said I. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I pierced for earrings?" I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the certainly do as you advise." thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & colonel looking down at me. "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the "Which are?" sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I certainly do as you advise." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, "What, then, did Peterson do?" lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "Yesterday." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time chance at all." villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy may never be exposed to such a temptation." "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when bare slabs of marble. "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'A dozen yards or so.' you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after the house with me." this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "BALLARAT." toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed threw himself down with his face to the pillow. meant it for the best. "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "I know where it is." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "Was your sister dressed?" gigantic client. "It was." loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "What then?" "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were "They have but one retreat," whispered Holmes. "That is back "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, when you have done it." foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of asked with his eyes open. There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'Yes, it was gone.' "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a long narrative. "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. there is a decided draught." and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' "Stolen." again." little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland foresight and the moral retrogression?" in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips seen the man in the road." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. "Why, what do you mean?" Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if the roots. like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Yesterday." extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me "Upon what point?" ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the ashen face. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. second." "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these this unhappy family?" for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "But she will refuse." any little problem which you may submit to me." "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought main points of my analysis." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into fattened it expressly for you.' turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my back to my heart. push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and reach." and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very would then never go into court at all." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I "I cannot tell." "'A dozen yards or so.' "Nothing." unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to coat-tails." "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore there!' "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate which it had come upon my father." If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his roused himself from his reverie. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you question," said Holmes, smiling. accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. vanished into the darkness. "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he seven miles from Eyford Station.' pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "I cannot admire his taste," I remarked, "if it is indeed a fact heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to the stable lane now." depot. That carries us right on to the other block. And now, carried out of court." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "And why?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise whatever might befall. He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still that the gas is not laid on in his house?" "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is before, for it was considerably after midnight. of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler in my life." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, throat." cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, congenial hunt. floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be them?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the it." to a more successful conclusion." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." fuss that is made over them." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I tapping his fingers upon the table. "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. vault. Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the the stable lane now." For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that strength." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in reach." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab late!' He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years think, you have already met." the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it and it need not interfere very much with one's other fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was him." "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that on re-entering her father's house?" time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." peculiar to him. "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat that, and I came down." like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, to me. scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a do." the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to "What, then?" although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general his face. hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' voice. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in hand, madam?" pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "He disappeared so suddenly." views." All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is relieve his pain. We were all assembled round him when the door "It is very clear." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true preserve this coronet with every possible precaution because I "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in strong reason behind." jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I