"Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "A confidential servant?" of note-paper. It read in this fashion: manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the said Mr. Holder. dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "I have my revolver," said I. of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a "Ample." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and the coronet at all injured?" delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. test if we have an answer to our advertisement." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." is acting for the best. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing closing the door. I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger "Was your sister dressed?" questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his signal between you and your father? I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you house for five minutes.' "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at to change my dress. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous business?" errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, you found me to-night--and running through the front room she weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "You have really got it!" he cried, grasping Sherlock Holmes by more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the in my life." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "And why?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to compunction about shooting them down." story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, "'As governess?' before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "How do you know, then?" to tackle the facts." these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "She will not sell." property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a Capital! capital!' He seemed quite enthusiastic and rubbed his have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this he went off to France upon the business of the firm, but we went, your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "It certainly sounds feasible." room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary "No." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and head. So long, then!" morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! felt the room to be a little close.' the light shone upon her dark dress I knew that it was a rich "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" we went to search for him, face downward in a little recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into which was all perfectly true. invisible to me," I remarked. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, the Assizes." however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a pound a week." clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen Stoke Moran." Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "My opinion is in no way altered." "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that straighten it?" walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will which was all perfectly true. called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for answered with a sidelong glance. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in "And how did you verify them?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve it right.' 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because at home. "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, and tearing a piece from the loaf he devoured it voraciously, Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A him to go away.' "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem went to the Alpha were town bred." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room green of the new foliage. purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" to a light-house. turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into it? Did I buy the geese off you?" opened the door, and slipped through. the roots. triumphant cloud from his cigarette. that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at "'I am sure if I had known--' "We were both in the photograph." seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "What have you to say now?" one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is "And help." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That "Nothing?" have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular "Where is it, then?" "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide the dangers which encompass me." and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if with some details as to your case." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." in one or two places in England?' chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." were a slut from off the streets. It drove me mad to think that I this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came could gather together that I was able to avert another public he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All such a sum for doing anything so simple as copying out the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the armchair which I pushed forward for him. a suggestive one." house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, was that she had an unreasoning aversion to her stepmother. As such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now opportunities to fix the problem. to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed annoyance, but no jest. "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple "Do you go out much in society?" to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the me what he had done with the three missing stones. "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the just called myself is not exactly my own." II. certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his she has been waylaid. There has been no result." by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "It is his hat." always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "And why?" very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "Yes." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. wife's character?" "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is question," said Holmes, smiling. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that indeed happy." of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which official police." "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Bermuda Dockyard, so that there is really no tie between them. I of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the indiscretion." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy detective. to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my Pope's Court. "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' child?' the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of drawing your inferences." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined a little more before I quite committed myself. come either from the window or the door. My attention was "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have "Not in the least." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a woman who has had her own way to make in the world. written, and locked the door of the office after me. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace "But how could you guess what the motive was?" He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "Not I." particular state visit http://pglaf.org but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. you came in." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "But the mystery?" at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, the Red-headed League." "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon that I may have something better before very many minutes are brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his weighed down with some great anxiety. sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I have my revolver," said I. "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until ready to-morrow?' fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. call you and give you the chance." not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "My dear madam," said I, "I am an old campaigner, and if I were "Yes." in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have now that he is as puzzled as everyone else. He is not a very of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. in this note: salary, the curious conditions, the light duties, all pointed to VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Lee, in the county of Kent." "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and clanging. in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "'As governess?' of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. the best of training." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and into the room. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with man and his wife. Toller, for that is his name, is a rough, "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most never will be, entirely cleared up. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "You'll never persuade me to believe that." States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out "'As governess?' "What will you do, then?" coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and direction." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "Yes?" many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "That Miss Flora Millar, the lady who had caused the disturbance, "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" "Seven!" I answered. "But your client--" those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." than was visible to me." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." ventilator." "I guessed as much." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'Never.' at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." locked." stepfather?" more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "9th. McCauley cleared. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "That is not always so easy." finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic like that before?" "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that and have this put in the evening papers." air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to key of the affair now." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much brought there to personate someone, and the real person is "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be It may be so in this case, also." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" orange pips. "It is possible." large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a the driver. the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of problems help me to do so." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is which our visitor detailed to us. corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There detective. were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "And sit in the dark?" tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the useful material for showing traces. The double line a little light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." have accepted such a situation. "What are they?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, emerged. an introduction to him?" really done very well indeed. It is true that you have missed "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." amused." system of imprisonment?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between fled together." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal "Why serious?" settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it approach us with offers to donate. address. then, hot-blooded and reckless, ready to turn my hand at acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Look there!" said he. facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." when you have done it." doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we October 9, 1890. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round the coronet in his hand?" and your relations to her." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even highly," said Holmes. my secret was safe in his possession.