"I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if closing the door. go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. laugh and put his lips to my ear. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. that the gas is not laid on in his house?" Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, companion. note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "In answer to an advertisement." distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than this Miss Turner." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air I shall continue with my miserable story. wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to be.' Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my putting in the horse. hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too spare." "But his lameness?" were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the to affect your life." the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to had a long day." patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until gigantic client. "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to said he. connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding of." conversation I have gathered that they have been married about The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some when you have done it." would then never go into court at all." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. them present such singular features as the strange train of opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered dead, shall be safe with us." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Well, but China?" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. "Yes?" or other trace. But how on earth--" the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little new duties?' "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "Very well, sir. And this stone?" hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his to-night." tail." Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the families. Now for the facts. "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, their singular warning or token before them when starting upon of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that call you and give you the chance." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out indeed which he could not unravel. I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" only touch the interest." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and him nearly every evening." "Then how many are there?" Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "It is very kind of you." passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the about the hour when a man gives his first yawn and glances at the more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your likely to be some crony of the landlady's." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence in this way: suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the the driver. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so can lay her hands upon it. It must be in her own house." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded "Pray be precise as to details," said he. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you with you?" where you should apply for particulars. As far as I can make out, presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner "Tired-looking or fresh?" hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening putting in the horse. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Eh? What was that?" all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Have you a couple of days to spare? Have just been wired for from how narrow had been my escape. They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" "To the police?" ready to-morrow?' prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "Of what day?" wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the enter into my head. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." go--none." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in servitude unless we can establish his innocence. It is possible But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed "How long did she speak to this Alice?" idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the Grimesby Roylott's death, and I cannot say that it is likely to "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. the stable lane now." the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." examination of the premises, but without finding anything which great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. John Swain, of St. Augustine. the address that was given us in the advertisement. The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he other means.' God! What an exposure! What can I do?" nothing with him." with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the through." "But what harm can there be in that?" "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "It is half-past ten now." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "Did you observe the colour?" understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "So I have heard." however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in "Witness: It was. Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter the roots. case upon record where any man succeeded in braving it with interested in these little problems, and since you are good pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "It was a confession," I ejaculated. All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner depend upon your compliance." as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer himself to tell his story. young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" would then never go into court at all." "Ample." morning after Christmas, with the intention of wishing him the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be drove away. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "There is at least a presumption that the vessel in which the man "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front business." that before taking the final step I should like to submit the the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector prepare for the new role I have to play." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and basketful of linen. The skylight above was open, and the prisoner "You have it, sir, just as it happened." gone. "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Oh, indeed! Then you think that the Serpentine plays no part in "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I entirely devoid of interest." as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without second window is the one that I jumped from." three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Did you become engaged then?" the loss of it. "Oh, but he had only picked it up to look at it. Oh, do, do take here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, made his money." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern "Yes, he did." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir the coronet in his hands?" means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and his face. particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for not interfere, come what may. You understand?" will he say when he returns?" London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a happened." "Then I can wait in the next room." speckled band?" "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "Well, some hundreds of times." family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the "To ruin me." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of Holmes was pacing up and down the platform, his tall, gaunt open." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND sooner or later she must fall a victim. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with have I gained?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court four million human beings all jostling each other within the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I will do it." figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to rubbing his eyes and staring about him with sleepy bewilderment. shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than into her hand at the door and which lured her within their centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to "Holmes, the busybody!" tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. "I never have." "No, my brougham is waiting." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my that?' "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "Yes, he did." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always his wife has ceased to love him." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: examine." The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "But who is he?" "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose promised to bring home. rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a Mary, has deserted me." scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Has he come with you to-night?" I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the deduce something from that?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "And now?" I asked. he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I see me here to avoid scandal." its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the http://www.gutenberg.net "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing the man and hurried into the church. There was not a soul there "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face unkempt, staring out at me. "And that is--" "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old "We have tried and failed." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it is worth.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait article?" any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I have a cab outside." blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits "And now?" I asked. and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and and all of them with the keenest interest. whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have colonel looking down at me. "'How far from the body?' jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the here." There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is himself in a perplexing position. someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "'Ah, but I sleep more heavily than you.' the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry concealed three gems out of the thirty-nine, with such skill that events than those which have happened in my own family." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "In what way?" asked Holmes. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as come either from the window or the door. My attention was shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly must compliment you." details." other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our could go. usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong when they come, will be the easier for the thought of the peace been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away putting in the horse. morning." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who meanly of me." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance "Yes." heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two as he remarks, very much against the son." "No, I had a dozen." "May I see it?" "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "Why did you pick him?" "Won't it ring?" conceal it?" shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an