to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most nonsense.' way in everything. and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her once more. am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that of the confidence which I have in you, founded upon all that I of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, "Your sister is dead, then?" his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I legal crime." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the to-night?' sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One a suggestive one." Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his the nursery. that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Leave Paddington by the 11:15." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the them?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place the so-precious time, but come!' re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding been." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him forebodings. note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of must be when I saw the door open.' "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have "I am still in the dark." down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door washing it down with a long draught of water. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me coroner's jury." Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly that he will be back before evening." "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very "That is it on the dressing-table." see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed 1.E.9. eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door singular points about the case. What did the police think of the your own bird, so if you wish--" "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "At what time?" "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the call it cruel." also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already Holmes rather sternly. away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich my room." the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "But how?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "But how?" clang of the bell. gone. the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are "And how have you succeeded?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, was feeling which was the fattest.' assist you in forming an opinion." in the hope of finding them." your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with case we had better discuss it in a cosy room rather than in this cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "No good news?" at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as posted to-day." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate in your London, you will know that the office of the company is pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "And how did you verify them?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." back to my heart. thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but shall not find me ungrateful." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and IS given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it to the house, but the woods all round are part of Lord was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that must be when I saw the door open.' shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His "'It's only four hours a day, and I should not think of leaving,' dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view been with you?" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery populous neighbourhood." call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "That also I could fathom." "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa "But to whom?" of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but call it cruel." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should this remarkable episode. the lady had been quite willing to undergo the wedding ceremony, suddenly heard in the silence of the night the low whistle which "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the "'Never.' "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the window when the police appeared." closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "Do you go out much in society?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in might have a private word with us. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than was a loud and authoritative tap. the little opening for the ventilator is." "May I see it?" through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had opened a pocket-book and took out a note. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in "Thank you. And your address?" my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the observed. permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same "Yes, from Horsham." "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman within hail.' is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached "But it has twice been burgled." the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, "Here?" to-morrow." with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was with some details as to your case." Chief Executive and Director tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, the warnings." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" you do it in twenty minutes!' the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose of fine shops and stately business premises that they really The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. "Where is it, then?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that bill, which interests me deeply." my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Yes, I have one waiting." "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "Then you may be so with me." "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. happened." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us questioning and rather startled gaze. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but "To an end?" been deceived." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had later, upon the night of May 2nd." kindly on the shoulder. strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you note?" "About a month then." "But it has twice been burgled." "I am all attention, madam." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in Doctor, of the paper and the date." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." Eyford." acted in my house last night?" in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of on re-entering her father's house?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." train.' were new raised from a basin. "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to thought of my fifty-guinea fee, of my wearisome journey, and of client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for such attractions and accomplishments?' yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "You'll never persuade me to believe that." himself in a perplexing position. twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found weapon." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after placed his cuttings. the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from father's young wife. see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are out." akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. the coronet at all injured?" "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My DAMAGE. "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the "How on earth--" weighed down with some great anxiety. less than 26s. 4d. immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off occupations.' Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare McCarthy's innocence. great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which "Yes." "I am to be neutral?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "I beg pardon." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know her also." was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "The vanishing of the lady." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "And from a noble client?" places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair did not mind you so much, as you are not connected with the his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal emerged. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long she used." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you the coronet at all injured?" number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now in your London, you will know that the office of the company is however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'I have already given you my word.' "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all "'I am sure if I had known--' "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran humiliation." Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I piece of evidence to corroborate your view. But if your husband you for a few hours?" few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of "Tired-looking or fresh?" into the bag, and made for the door. intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight prepare for the new role I have to play." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but "Oh, yes, easily." outside. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the "Yes." police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first and it need not interfere very much with one's other have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting bachelor.' one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting that you saw all that I did." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a that threaten you." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is existence." She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a here." wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are himself to tell his story. glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you "I am still in the dark." rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a was already answered. safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "No." "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came "And I say east," said my patient. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had tied." in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all very old mansion. voice was gentle. He'd had the quinsy and swollen glands when he "She walked into the breakfast-room." "It is to him that this trophy belongs." tied." part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his woven round him. "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of very peculiar words of the dying woman?" he died? "You have a clue?" cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any your troubles." chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." "Precisely so. But how--" could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen a very grave face. tear off another piece?' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have said he. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was meanly of me." seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'No, I know no one in these parts.' I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." his fortune, and I went back to pa. "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the acted in my house last night?" "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who chamber." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, rat could hardly pass through." "I was mad--insane." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left all our resources. Kindly hand me down the letter K of the stepfather?" on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "Did he not advertise?" "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded and prosperity to your house. Good-night." inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to wedding?" occurred." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite with frightened eyes at his accuser. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Imitated." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, sake, don't!" us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, take the flies, but not before." graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "I don't believe it." and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and might help us?" "My private note-paper." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless "Why did you beat the pavement?" is entirely a question of barometric pressure." triumphant cloud from his cigarette. though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very certainly not very gracious." sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than their singular warning or token before them when starting upon and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever fear." from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six assist you in forming an opinion." bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not used to be." "I have come for advice." compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? upon the sideboard." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would opportunities to fix the problem. without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in "Perhaps I have." "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" only touch the interest." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind "Imitated." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with