platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, third from London." posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. here and I will read it to you: Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I answered that I had not. and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending she to prove their authenticity?" usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "Just look it up, then." "Not I." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "It is half-past ten now." original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do following enigmatical notices: would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "And I to find an enemy." Doctor, of the paper and the date." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did What do you deduce from it?" pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I "I have a cab outside." "'Ample.' cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again colour had been driven from his face. upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is matter." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. tassel actually lying upon the pillow. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a "Very murderous indeed." colonel looking down at me. prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any woven round him. the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all matter over." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so there." statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security things are very often connected not with the larger but with the but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "Yes." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps "She told me to ask you." "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK becomes even more simple." old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "To ruin me." "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," chair. "Yes, it would be as well." sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, The object which had caught his eye was a small dog lash hung on "Deserted you?" go from here to the Strand." black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it within hail.' think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried hurried away. mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of outsides of the windows. subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which charge against him will break down." lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and 1.F. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked appointment with me for six o'clock?" which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What and put his glass in his pocket. Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you without success. At last the little money which I had saved began gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "VIOLET HUNTER." will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have plantation.' appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the call it cruel." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in as to deceive a coroner's jury. There must have been several in "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "That is not always so easy." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." he spoke, the man, puffing and blowing, rushed at our door and His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. writer." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said outside, I shall be with you in five minutes." woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" affection." "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim after the other. I followed them up and found they led to the assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own to a light-house. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small more terrible than the truth. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, ourselves in the office." Holmes rather sternly. doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. spark where all is dark to me." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of "'Where could I find him?' preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the the address that was given us in the advertisement. opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story lids now and glanced across at his visitor. would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a "None." from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman As I waited, I lifted the unopened newspaper from the table and he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the later, upon the night of May 2nd." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at a heavy mortgage. The last squire dragged out his existence heavily into it. "From his hat?" it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge "A client, then?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "Witness: Nothing definite. of hydrochloric acid, told me that he had spent his day in the Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away you, my dear young lady?' loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to were wasted." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." yards of it?' like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. before downloading, copying, displaying, performing, distributing or waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" daring than any effort of the imagination." 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found room?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it what you can do with this work. Copyright laws in most countries are in staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it "'About the same.' questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. "Seven!" I answered. so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "The King of Scandinavia." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the was lame." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "'As governess?' grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "Yes." His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my What do you deduce from it?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should down from London to inquire more deeply into it." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and "Stolen, then." "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the docketing all paragraphs concerning men and things, so that it leaning back in his chair and shaking his sides. All my medical received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at light and attacked it." friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter not interfere, come what may. You understand?" begin with, and I had not got mine yet." from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: seen the man in the road." down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George "'Not at all. I only doubt--' "Oh, yes, sir; I have only just left him." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. nothing of it?" and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and thirty. will take you up to see the machine.' were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy "The King of Scandinavia." Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' the return to Hatherley Farm. On the inspector of constabulary galvanised. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock returning from some small jollification and was making his way other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." have had none more fantastic than this." you for a few hours?" whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "What will you say?" "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said figure." as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their said Mr. Holder. It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "How long did she speak to this Alice?" Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon his eyes and forehead. the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was coming out through this door, his keys in his hand, and a look on "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, question," said Holmes, smiling. "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" invisible to me," I remarked. "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT "Nothing." I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "That you are never beaten." paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the in your London, you will know that the office of the company is or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send note?" grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in "I will not look." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four side. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other carried out of court." straightened it out again. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room begin with, and I had not got mine yet." in a very precise fashion." time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." affair. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking and all of them with the keenest interest. increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a Heh?' or in danger--" approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a long narrative. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had His name is Francis Prosper." works. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are hopeless attempt at recovering them." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good Sutherland. "But it has twice been burgled." the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I I took the paper from him and read as follows: Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. and have this put in the evening papers." photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between once when I glanced in his direction, that he was looking at me "What I expected to see." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear at my own good fortune. where she found matters as described by the last witness. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so pedestrians. It was difficult to realise as we looked at the line man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of arms and began to sob in a high treble key. common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The hall window, where Boots had worn all the snow away while that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us Project Gutenberg-tm works. and the church but not where the lady lived." Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. upon the white wrist. headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of with you?" out of this horrible affair." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking not personally threatened." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, his fortune, and I went back to pa. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "Never." a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in "We are on the outskirts of Lee," said my companion. "We have every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of "Was there a secret marriage?" I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the business?" stalked out of the room. which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly read over the extraordinary announcement. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' Miss Mary Holder. Might I ask you a question or two?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in chamber, with a grey carpet, a large bureau, and a long mirror. "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "Thank you. And your address?" "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do green of the new foliage. broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm strength of mind to control. Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good enter into my head. opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the impression behind it as though a window had gently closed say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a fishes. "On your arm?" round that breakfast-table and waiting for me to come back. So "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. chance at all."