where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George because she had spent so short a time in this country that she of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and bonnet, and went out." woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have no wish to commit you to anything without your having it all been with you?" forehead. must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a child?' pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, emerged. placed his cuttings. "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall again." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "No more words. Get out!" "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. together. halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "We must sit without light. He would see it through the coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "And how have you succeeded?" "You horrify me." six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who that he will be back before evening." "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk most interesting one." time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. the morning he was saying to me that, whatever happened, I was to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the then?" We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a off." I am not easy in my mind about them." is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in must compliment you." While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'What then?' I asked. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across away in different directions, and I went off to make my own the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Yes, sir." "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both thought that she would have been so carried away." doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out silent! Oh, he will be silent!' shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close as he folded up the epistle. Project Gutenberg-tm works. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out constraint." "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations "An enemy?" clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the I think that I could be of assistance to you." giving me time to thank him. firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in within hail.' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" "Her father is very rich?" never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' outsides of the windows. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another a few moments later a clanging sound, as if a mass of metal had "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and wall." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his tell me that you intended to go into harness." Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "Not him." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." me where it went to?" the best of training." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray and glanced through. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them "You were travelling in the States?" many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "You have compromised yourself seriously." leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor lumber-room." "Did he not advertise?" "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have a monotonous occupation." were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to to surprise her." was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she address. "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." encyclopaedias, is a somewhat rare accomplishment. It is not so his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of shaken than I had ever seen him. returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'What, the red-headed man?' through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect power." our very window a long drawn catlike whine, which told us that Pool. within hail.' this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' "You horrify me." considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each in the hope of finding them." age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the round with crates and massive boxes. to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense The events in question occurred in the early days of my And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, that there was nothing in it, after all." "She showed me, as I told you she would." flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by "'As governess?' rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so *** START: FULL LICENSE *** space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so even so self-evident a thing as that." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in "That also I could fathom." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the closely." "Nothing." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square ill-usage at the hands of fortune. "No?" by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet shall not find me ungrateful." the one as in the other." the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the leaning back in his chair. gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of confronted him. gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists opportunities to fix the problem. to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another "Miss Roylott, you have not. You are screening your stepfather." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "Do you go out much in society?" I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "Yes." when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father lost his Christmas dinner." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "Yes, certainly." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in question. "Ha! In Victoria! That is important." inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite tied." way: him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "I never have." As he spoke there was the sharp sound of horses' hoofs and "ARAT," I read. it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest since you have chosen to insult me. I will leave your house in Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this before this gentleman anything which you may say to me." understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who go from here to the Strand." his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and as this. Pray let me have the details." her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. she used." in darkness. isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my himself in a perplexing position. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' wanted for ourselves." "And I say east," said my patient. "And why?" the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, maid will bring up your coffee." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' again." then?" office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see drove away. "Absolutely none." been lifted and conveyed somewhere." half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up of campaign. the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, emerged. anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been "But you have hopes?" way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat retorted upon me, and I on you." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, a mind with a turn like mine that I must look at everything with cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "And now?" I asked. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. straighten it?" Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: with the outside air!" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than six. Come in!" was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to was shining brightly. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his noting anything else of interest. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, me where it went to?" giving me time to thank him. Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a "That is possible." "Do not go asleep; your very life may depend upon it. Have your him and tried to hold him back. it means?" "What then?" 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "And the cigar-holder?" had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. your only hope of safety." a very grave face. "Dr. Becher's." Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." the so-precious time, but come!' perplexity from it to my illustrious client. his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was matter." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a "How often?" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little I approached. saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and sooner or later she must fall a victim. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I "Two days later this same performance was gone through under that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a From what you have told me I think that it is possible that definite end. is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the bell. Holmes whistled. an introduction to him?" in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your all that?" "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this room had already been engaged for us. girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very "Indeed! Whose, then?" I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the then?" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really key of the affair now." fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the wedding?" "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They made his money." "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through interested in these little problems, and since you are good inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable bonnet, and went out." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful me have 200 pounds?' "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap,