"'I have heard so.' branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is said Mr. Holder. secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check digesting their breakfasts at home." forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some together. empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to "Could he throw no light?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear left the country, and finally that C was visited, with, I fear, a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "And who is her maid?" happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than had set in with exceptional violence. All day the wind had bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall "You horrify me!" "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Not yet." Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties "Yes, but only for you and me." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from instincts rose up against that laugh. "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went hereditary King of Bohemia." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. was the fact that his father should, according to his account, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. "The 'Lone Star' had arrived here last week. I went down to the "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "It certainly sounds feasible." as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "You have a clue?" there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" "Did you observe the colour?" that this man Boone had thrust Neville St. Clair through the "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the a very grave face. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" your most interesting statement." "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a think, you have already met." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less sparkled upon his finger. pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his have accepted such a situation. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies means taking possession of that which another person has a prior "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. cigars in their mouths. been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of society." extraordinary contortions. "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was union?" the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "Yes, certainly." There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the you found me to-night--and running through the front room she "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, brain must have something in it." "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' cost them two and thirty pounds." I nodded again. him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "No, but the enclosure is." other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I The telegram which we eventually received came late one night married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened I held the little printed slip to the light. spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." get her out of the way." another, that even he to whom of all others I have a right to what they are. But that is a mere detail. I have taken you fully "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending http://www.gutenberg.net to have that photograph." lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All This man strikes even deeper, but I think, Watson, that we shall in darkness. "In San Francisco, a year ago." place, I think that there is good ground to think that the got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "I see no marks." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, http://www.gutenberg.net sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as which are rolled in Rotterdam." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my your Highness to the police-station?" the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the then?" Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his "'Where could I find him?' rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the giving me time to thank him. not come at once?" cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then "Holmes, the busybody!" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Precisely." the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special "My photograph." rat could hardly pass through." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, question. "This photograph!" "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of "None." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that should be entangled in the same meshes which held me was more by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "'Not at all. I only doubt--' be sorry for having acted so harshly." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." that you can jump it.' "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, towards the blaze. was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible ourselves in the office." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch observed. brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, "Yes." if I call to-morrow?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the puckered lids. Then he walked slowly up the street, and then down discontent upon his features. overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but a monotonous occupation." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "I promise," said Holmes. Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is be best to do. yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as which set an edge to a man's energy. All over the countryside, "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that of his shoulders. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he of his shoulders. "Quite so." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "But his lameness?" Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon towards the blaze. and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his go back?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are "I beg pardon." impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There matter over." "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and very morning of my second wedding." 'please.'" that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "Certainly." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a woman." Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I brow, set his lips tight, and turned his face towards us. without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence anything to do with the matter?" grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always flight, and he is now the holder of a government appointment in might have a private word with us. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "Yes?" Sherlock Holmes had opened his mouth to reply, when the door flew frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is "She walked into the breakfast-room." had a long day." "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something go--none." "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some down in his armchair and closing his eyes. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "I cannot imagine." McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Because he was handy and would come cheap." time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar occurred." With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when late." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "But how did you gain them?" official police." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Awake, Watson?" he asked. and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which "It was an hour's good drive." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a business." union?" the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Why did you beat the pavement?" you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, "You will not go there first?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "'What then?' I asked. persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "I cannot tell." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "The gentleman I describe." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the It may be so in this case, also." and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He slept on the premises." "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have and the ladies who are seeking employment wait in an anteroom, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. some of the first men in the South, and that there may be many "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down question. down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't such attractions and accomplishments?' "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was fluttered off among the others. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "What will you do, then?" deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to recover the gem." "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, his face which made him a very different person to the round, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. presence could be of no help to them in their investigations. McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' friends, not even his own brother. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce flock.' "Murdered?" suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already would apply.' in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two to have been novel and of interest." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, The King stared at him in amazement. "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." has little to do with my story." The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Tired-looking or fresh?" the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, prepare for the new role I have to play." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "The goose, Mr. Holmes! The goose, sir!" he gasped. shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I the roots. bird I ate is country bred." this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all was the fact that his father should, according to his account, letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "Where, then, is my wife?" "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "To an end?" "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of "This photograph!" "'A dozen yards or so.' "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "I have seen the police." "And you can do nothing until then?" my room." planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do it. black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." vague figure huddled up in the darkness. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, notes," he said. took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" case-book, which he consulted. screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." on re-entering her father's house?" sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "Then I can wait in the next room." It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "'Very good.' He suddenly sprang up, and darting like lightning