and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a "My own seal." calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The fluttered off among the others. locked. asked with his eyes open. "Where did you address your letters, then?" "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." The note was undated, and without either signature or address. "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker official police." gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Why did you beat the pavement?" the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "Then I can wait in the next room." peculiar to him. where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He you?" tapping his fingers upon the table. unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just fattened it expressly for you.' felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent own family. introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always next day. be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I will, Miss Turner." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only attention." "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to tightly behind him. villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. meant." Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too "Seven!" I answered. would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "What shall I do?" coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "Texas, I think." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was appearance, you see, is so remarkable that no one can pass him "I don't believe it." What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. correct than the official force." that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, the side-table." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to papers must be those that are destroyed.' "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "Dr. Becher's." little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she "I have hopes." see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. "Which are?" I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that just ask you whether you had heard it.' comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he mystery." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' never to learn it at all." "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow would apply.' "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." despaired of." still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "What! Had he lost his wife?" Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her clear to me. Your news of this morning, however, may open his came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, the dangers which encompass me." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all the stones. "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "Where to?" had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. ventilator." "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "What do you mean?" that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to seen the man in the road." "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "And I." posted to-day." thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the and files of the old papers, following the future career of every cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father people in all walks of life. pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to way: India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed me." "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your prevent her from looking upon any other suitor for some time to as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. crackling voice. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." "What do you mean?" the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to fall of the stricken man. To Holmes, as I could see by his eager always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has companion. your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful "I am sure." dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "But the twelve-mile drive?" gasped Hatherley. produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." comes from the middle window." disappearance of these gems?" "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until which was suggested by his whole appearance. He carried a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid recover the gem." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she foresight and the moral retrogression?" prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to to surprise her." arrested. You then--" at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, "And the cigar-holder?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a Does that suggest anything?" and the church but not where the lady lived." first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that straighten it?" to have that photograph." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. mystery may be cleared along those lines." "'You doubt its value?' he asked. for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it with some details as to your case." of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen remarked. whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless the tragedy. terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of known to be in weak health, it seemed a fine stroke to him that brave and sensible girl, Miss Hunter. Do you think that you could although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. relief. "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing is," said he presently: corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "You know me, then?" and shall probably return to London by the evening train." "That you are never beaten." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "It was a confession," I ejaculated. from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." the matter up, so much public attention has now been drawn to it Arthur Conan Doyle not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the devil!" particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. strolled up and down, glancing at them occasionally, Mr. Rucastle so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear "You will not go there first?" to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, It may be so in this case, also." the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main "And why in hopes?" Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, tell me that you intended to go into harness." the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary own family. said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of the neighbourhood in whom I was not in the least interested, but quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland about. "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in means taking possession of that which another person has a prior learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been feet would carry me to this man Breckinridge; but he had sold the "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had who is in need of air. A maid rushed across and threw open the said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "Oh, yes, I did. You remember in her statement she said that her The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two in a very precise fashion." it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back promised to bring home. work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, "I answered that I had not. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. chance at all." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector served to weaken the effect. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare maiden herself was most instructive." acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive "And how?" comes from the middle window." about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower to that open window." "'Ample.' as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him From what you have told me I think that it is possible that reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately "Where is it, then?" grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned ran thus: "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really sit on the left-hand side of the driver." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close season you shave by the sunlight; but since your shaving is less arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in registry office? No one knows a word of the matter, but you can "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" "Witness: Nothing definite. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most took the more chivalrous view, however, and preserved her shoulder. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who article?" takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the morning between nine and ten I shall be happy to do what I can to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast be. "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an think that I recognise the symptoms. Ha! did I not tell you?" As surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to me. but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man information in his hands the value of which he did not himself was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the down from London to inquire more deeply into it." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND work, you must comply either with the requirements of paragraphs 1.E.1 harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, "It came here." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his the coronet at all injured?" "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low "Never to return." garden below. "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "If so, it is a serious case. Nothing less would bring a man out Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "It missed him, then?" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" Miss Holder?" impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could "We must have a cab." that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across ways of our fellow-men." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with said I. slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see enter into my head. I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which in your London, you will know that the office of the company is "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the "'How far from the body?' my little problems." not personally threatened." call the police, let the police find what they can.' Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical call for protection in the marriage market, for the present Gutenberg-tm License. up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you found me to-night--and running through the front room she reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and It may be so in this case, also." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly mysterious end." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a official police." developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and "You have it, sir, just as it happened." "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "I should be immensely obliged to you." for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "Witness: I must still refuse. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "Oh, yes, easily." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" colour had been driven from his face. Leadenhall Street--and--" over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." never will be, entirely cleared up. did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now father's place of business?" and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She 1.C. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation ("the Foundation" Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in he. shoulder. "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see it." "'Because during the last few nights I have always, about three him, that man would not have given me such complete information I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our the best of training." When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a what do you think they found in the pockets?" prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave "But how about Mr. Hosmer Angel? Did he make no attempt to see the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have were new raised from a basin. stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of propriety obey. You see no difficulty, heh?' future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "You have compromised yourself seriously." "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It ceremony." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at sparkled upon his finger. James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at