sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without o'clock is it?" How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a infinite languor in his face. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of present." "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a "and I can quite understand that he might find it difficult to a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "Yes, they were peculiar boots." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "Very. But will he see it?" do." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a wanted for ourselves." deduce something from that?" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we voice, changing her seat as requested. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain national property. I was determined that the law should have its the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for I shall communicate with you." The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no voice, changing her seat as requested. the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such charged with?" it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of singular points about the case. What did the police think of the of." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" matter over." "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner your most interesting statement." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel allusion to a rat. glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Cross for the Continent." "'And what salary do you ask?' horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible was used.' days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the the very morning of the wedding." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than Stoke Moran." Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as Sutherland?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, know that the truth is known." case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can point in the dark hollow of his hand. could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, and the church but not where the lady lived." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the persecution?" "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I "I will not look." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly joking. the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and one's self under obligations.' nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Get out!" said he. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the very old mansion. that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been particular state visit http://pglaf.org little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended "The Cedars?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "May I see it?" was the fact that his father should, according to his account, was standing in the aperture, the darkness of the hall behind "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was interested in these little problems, and since you are good confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "Perhaps we may make them less so." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" "'As governess?' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "You heard nothing yourself last night?" was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "Very well, sir. And this stone?" present." wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my "None." The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed of the way of danger. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "Not in a good cause." that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess to enter through the window when out from a clump of laurel accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better arrested. You then--" for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in stepfather?" clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, fear." address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of "I shall be delighted." "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the running down." the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right just called myself is not exactly my own." "It was." during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So tell them apart.' this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I "Stolen, then." "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can chance." I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you must compliment you." "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Well." and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but read it out to me." came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated James Windibank. Voilà tout!" your sleep?' and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us morning." people don't know." charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of of." lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off national property. I was determined that the law should have its dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." and your relations to her." not as remarkable as your advertisement." "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, to affect your life." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "Come in!" said he. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight conversation I have gathered that they have been married about roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend "What on earth does this mean?" I ejaculated after I had twice "Certainly." questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I "'I have heard so.' done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which during that time.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. Holmes' room. soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Yes, that is the Crown." abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. intrusion of other matters." offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about back alive. by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the "Why did you beat the pavement?" "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "Oh, yes, easily." "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to "'Where could I find him?' which we had just quitted. "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. several quiet little villages up there." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from pierced for earrings?" "The murder was done with it." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You think so, too?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way You can understand that this register and diary may implicate fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "Which surely he restored to their owner?" has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far strange features which were associated with the two crimes which keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can London for the present?" very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "Yes." perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious "'Never,' said I. weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the tell them apart.' of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I the house with me." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. not fit the lock." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never imbecility!" he cried. To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the The note was undated, and without either signature or address. managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that indeed happy." "My dear Holmes!" going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from him and tried to hold him back. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. certainly do as you advise." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we the matter." appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope train from Paddington which would bring you there at about into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to "Was your sister dressed?" of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him "I am in hopes that she does." pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." you understand?" "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "No." of the way of danger. transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from I nodded to show that I had heard. official police." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your "Can I be of assistance?" France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men and have this put in the evening papers." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "My stepfather's business papers." other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" reach." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the all that remains. Mr. Rucastle then, I presume, took to this resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. were wasted." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of and the whole place is in a blaze." entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." true." animal by the contemplation of a single bone, so the observer who "No sign of it?" kind enough to tell me what I should do." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, was already answered. people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through "How many? I don't know." carpenter." office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I of Fenchurch Street." recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Never." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "In heaven's name, what for?" in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "It is possible." coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest said he at last. Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the allusion to a rat. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I have come for advice." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "It certainly sounds feasible." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "We were both in the photograph." business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he to affect your life." "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call "What are they?" locked." his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his could not have written that. It is the German who is so 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the and discoloured that it may have dated from the original building "Breckinridge is his name." "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "And the cigar-holder?" nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, might have a private word with us. "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by "Yes, there are nearly always some there." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have yet." request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to a little more before I quite committed myself. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, "Pray continue your narrative." I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." thing beyond myself. Crime is common. Logic is rare. Therefore it "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly three of the beryls in it, was missing. never will be, entirely cleared up. "No, thank goodness, she did not." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down own family. "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well in his power. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice