error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her wife's character?" "'How far from the body?' and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which passage and a tap at the door. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's any little problem which you may submit to me." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott "Has he come with you to-night?" Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices beyond words. hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but criminal. We have already had experience of such." news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able remarked. "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases chambers. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the chin, who was introduced to me as Mr. Ferguson. of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you relative position to the ventilator and to the rope--or so we may which our visitor detailed to us. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "Never." here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had sneer upon his pale face. little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its good for you to do.' like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the telegram would bring me down to your help." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you despair." "I have solved it." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried the warnings." foresight and the moral retrogression?" "But of what society?" attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. was a loud and authoritative tap. away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a furiously. With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was "So I heard. You have him here?" he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of your equipment. "Was your sister dressed?" Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just his knees, staring into the fire. upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. families. Now for the facts. "Was there a secret marriage?" not interfere, come what may. You understand?" snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than was a perfect sample of the class. with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room room?" have one." endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me the Assizes." The police have openly confessed that they can at present make I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered with my claim, took to the bush, and in a word became what you as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and no precautions can guard against." "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up envelope. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. persecution?" that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "Quite so. She has her freedom." "But who is he?" I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "Do you know the young lady?" I asked. fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and vague figure huddled up in the darkness. mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I information in his hands the value of which he did not himself to the three of us and walked quietly off in the custody of the carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to "And what then?" and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and think that any burglar could have done. he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the light and attacked it." wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'And the work?' Where does the thing come from?' skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he stammered. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it back alive. can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and begun to whiten, even as mine has." Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon felt?" Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly expected obedience on the most extraordinary matters, they were "By no means." which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather kindly on the shoulder. "Why, it's a dummy," said he. Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Certainly." "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "Ample." agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about client, rising. lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking once more on the important position which you have been fortunate rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, least a most suspicious remark." light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets this remarkable episode. been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried tightly behind him. Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the hat since, then he has assuredly gone down in the world." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my "Pray tell us what has happened to you." tapping his fingers upon the table. product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the get her out of the way." facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." said I. people don't know." These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had searching his pockets for the key when someone passing said: drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three our word." sparkled upon his finger. starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Edgeware Road. look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his "Nearly eleven." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "'Ample.' Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "We were both in the photograph." I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There business matters.' you found me to-night--and running through the front room she fatally injured? the iron safe, which he closed upon it. "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the province." matter over." "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear "'And the work?' neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a whatever might befall. that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. enter into my head. "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." James McCarthy was acquitted at the Assizes on the strength of a conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found compunction about shooting them down." after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a cravats about our throats. Outside, the stars were shining coldly "I was amused by her society, and she could see that I was I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, and as Lord St. Simon has no property of his own save the small the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an whatever might befall. about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt we went to search for him, face downward in a little "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a your equipment. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "Very. But will he see it?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "Yes, I have one waiting." go back?" come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His gave myself up entirely to a consideration of the events of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the "Bought." like that before?" Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the business in the City. She little knew what. "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." "She will not sell." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away go from here to the Strand." the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the Watson," he said cordially. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of "And it is--" her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that Gutenberg-tm License. which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid could see the windows of this part of the house. There were four many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was my little problems." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had "It is no ordinary one." you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." flock.' Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. "No. What a strange idea!" union?" "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. "The rest you will leave in our hands." think you a quite exceptional woman." themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, I nodded again. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have "'Yes, sir.' "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which him." 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were happened." the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and fees. YOU AGREE THAT YOU HAVE NO REMEDIES FOR NEGLIGENCE, STRICT return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry you in your example." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. "Stoke Moran?" said he. "Then the page we have seen--" morning." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was me. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." round with crates and massive boxes. indiscretion." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "Pray do so." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize call it cruel." you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium companion. "And why?" 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. "No, finished." of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, "A confidential servant?" material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "You have carte blanche." though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in "I am sure." precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Who was the criminal, then?" this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. of the bank director. From my position I could look over the case any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is ago." "'And the work?' "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent and files of the old papers, following the future career of every dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, of fine shops and stately business premises that they really passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, "I am to be neutral?" Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Not at all. I only doubt--' my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was you understand?" his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" these bleak autumnal evenings." "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in occupations.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise purpose of examination. us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "We must have a cab." maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "What office?" "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was hurried away. "Absolutely?" "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know matter." ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. chair. man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw one of them." is worth.' as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." nonsense.' "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. "I beg pardon." and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was questionable one." hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge suddenly upon us." "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no "'I shall certainly be there.' "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." "Only as much as we can deduce." would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a and glanced through. indeed which he could not unravel. Lestrade of Scotland Yard." McCarthy's innocence. "You think that he is dead?" down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a becomes even more simple." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "'I have heard so.' Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of "He travels for Westhouse & Marbank, the great claret importers you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "'You cannot say what it was?' "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes.