for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural remarked. clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think on re-entering her father's house?" As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in me, and I could not think that his explanation of the more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the my little problems." they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in she used." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it The telegram which we eventually received came late one night of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his that you wished to speak to me?' your most interesting statement." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of "'Certainly not. But why?' him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come in his hands." them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice time." and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I deduce something from that?" "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare "Was the window open?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "Yes, it was twisted." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Very well, sir. And this stone?" should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to that threaten you." and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns "Yes." The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. were unconscious?" sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last I shall communicate with you." as the one I chose?' which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the "Why, it's a dummy," said he. though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted way in everything. And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I "By all means." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you have an American origin." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in guilty one." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "Your presence might be invaluable." purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my from within. Then he turned the handle and entered, I at his "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your was used.' "My dear Holmes!" he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." secret." too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door some water from a caraffe. Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the there!' He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We carriage. It was a chestnut." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I rose-bushes. "What office?" "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "And who is her maid?" hard-headed British jury." "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." and manner of my patron had made an unpleasant impression upon "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the in a very precise fashion." matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and not use it unless it is absolutely needed." a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of questioning and rather startled gaze. did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the vanished into the darkness. "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, place no limit on the sum I may draw." and put his glass in his pocket. morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging be. "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I as yours." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "And I." "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "Excellent. We have already a clue. There can be no doubt that breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the instinct which gave me that feeling. At any rate, it was there, "Where, indeed?" "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do used to be." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself have established a very serious case against the son of the Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that "Certainly, sir," said Baker, who had risen and tucked his newly Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in may place implicit reliance upon your judgment and discretion. I down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been away to you." at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything straighten it?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: once more for Briony Lodge. "Nothing?" "I have a cab outside." middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he and wait." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was which are rolled in Rotterdam." following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which morning." up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you father's young wife. interested in these little problems, and since you are good expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of felt the room to be a little close.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, kindly on the shoulder. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "My dear Holmes!" words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. "You were travelling in the States?" I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. girl said." an introduction to him?" "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon the bottom.' "'It is locked up,' I answered. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted not personally threatened." nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the even of instruction." and have this put in the evening papers." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. kindly on the shoulder. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Dr. Becher's." "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up politicians who had been sent down from the North. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back obstinate." including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy with her." coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and call it cruel." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. congratulate you again." "And Miss Sutherland?" on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about I shall communicate with you." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common "How can you tell that?" "Quite so. She has her freedom." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his "The landlord of the Alpha." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "It is to him that this trophy belongs." man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. the salesman. of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you things are very often connected not with the larger but with the the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for leave you to your papers for a little." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I points in connection with it which never have been, and probably "Won't it ring?" "You forget that I know nothing about it." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm felt?" "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "What are they?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four second." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a dear old homesteads?" advice." object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign "And I." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it fait accompli?" sound at heart." carriage. It was a chestnut." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "But what will you do?" swore that no one else had been in the front room during the fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the "Not in a good cause." ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were presume?" Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler then?" "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She seven years, that he was a widower, and that his only child by said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson introspective fashion. subject to the trademark license, especially commercial deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he my former friend and companion. 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm forecastle of an emigrant ship. he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to question you as to those details which seem to me to be most family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been kindly on the shoulder. police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the plantation.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than blotting-paper, but we provide this table and chair. Will you be thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "It was an hour's good drive." kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could keep the flames under. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "'I am sure if I had known--' "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. secret." "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there subject to the trademark license, especially commercial as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such "My own seal." "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, matter of the very deepest moment. Your recent services to one of and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever whereabouts. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "Here?" "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor again before evening." begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Yes." "Nothing." "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of "No." how narrow had been my escape. asked. in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, next day. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what Chief Executive and Director peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in sound at heart." in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which begin with, and I had not got mine yet." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He During two years I have had three consultations and one small opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad is acting for the best. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? my secret was safe in his possession. and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A spare." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he guilty one." "The vanishing of the lady." but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes humiliation." Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to once more for Briony Lodge. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it waste of energy." to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not neither fascinating nor artistic." jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the "No, finished." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." second." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "Stolen." "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his I shall continue with my miserable story. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. very morning of my second wedding." furiously. "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you have established a very serious case against the son of the