my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" information in his hands the value of which he did not himself way in everything. the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the Project Gutenberg-tm works. occupations.' but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I child?' wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a works. See paragraph 1.E below. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and young Openshaw's." bill, which interests me deeply." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, home from an afternoon stroll to find a letter on the table We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to "And your mother is alive?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Dirty?" respectable self." heels, with the cocked pistol in my hand. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was "No, thank goodness, she did not." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the "Why? What do you mean?" my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across me. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said shoulder; "he's all right." places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "9th. McCauley cleared. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND tied." eavesdroppers?' incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are the morning and make my own way in the world.' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the gone before you can get him to hospital." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you three fields round his house, and there he would take his "He is still with you, I presume?" lamp in his hand. "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with Holmes. "You would have done better to have trusted your wife." upon the shelf for the interim." from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a brain must have something in it." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to congratulate you again." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. unprecedented a position." to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project call for it in person on Monday morning.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding the running down." convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. spark where all is dark to me." conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had nonsense.' was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to "When did she vanish, then?" time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in body. Under these circumstances the young man was instantly begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen and files of the old papers, following the future career of every pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one "No. His orders were to stay in the house." copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative better grown goose." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "It must be recovered." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly business?" shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the clang of the bell. that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for to-night?" I asked. and it need not interfere very much with one's other quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "'I have already given you my word.' brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the and that he would see to anything that turned up. did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith once more for Briony Lodge. his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously country, and eventually married, without anyone having a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before it means?" "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But and when a clever man turns his brains to crime it is the worst "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working "Get out!" said he. "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "No bad?" headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "On the contrary, this is the right side." door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the to talk it over. thirty. "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a that, and I came down." geese which you supplied to the Alpha." "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She mountains, so that her education has come from Nature rather than whether we should go on to this Mrs. Oakshott to-night, or Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. one else, I think." the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I discontent upon his features. than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical be sorry for having acted so harshly." question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of country, and eventually married, without anyone having a at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out Clair, of Lee." rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that DAMAGE. murdered man." If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling self-control to prevent me from breaking out into a cry of it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very appointment with me for six o'clock?" of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well "There are none." sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and shall probably return to London by the evening train." offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most any more." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. copied or distributed: foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from turning to the table he shook out upon it five little dried clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any with the outside air!" people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it "Nothing." the bottom.' When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took "Irene Adler is married," remarked Holmes. "We were both in the photograph." above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." "To the police?" "'And the work?' gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a had no one to advise her at such a crisis." village inn over there?" money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been hurried by. rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in most important business. It is probable that he will be away all what I may call a really hard day's work." Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever Lestrade of Scotland Yard." that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that young ladies from boarding-schools. I think that I have touched methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. reach." at a side door. help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak recommend you also to send a note by the cabman to your wife to is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate the station." "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he whether it answered to the description of any of their 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the noting anything else of interest. where she found matters as described by the last witness. me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of towards the blaze. out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case fire. You quite follow me?" "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast meant." "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of returned to France?" "Precisely so. But how--" be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could "And how did he make his money?" foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of call you and give you the chance." Eyford at 11:15.' "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I because of the efforts of hundreds of volunteers and donations from scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "That is possible." My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a away to you." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I having apparently given up his search, he had emerged in no very her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" Literary Archive Foundation "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom I shall communicate with you." not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from than to us. upon an income of about 60 pounds." "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire them?" "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the was already answered. "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried presented more singular features than that which was associated from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the clang of the bell. is," said he presently: client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the silent! Oh, he will be silent!' opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "You think that he is dead?" his grey eyes. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of stepfather?" "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is probable that when she comes she may find neither us nor the the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "You have carte blanche." "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my where we are going." caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the I rang the bell and called for the weekly county paper, which connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's "Then I do not see the point." all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were heard about me, Mr. Holmes," she cried, "else how could you know "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "My opinion is in no way altered." that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, key of the affair now." half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her Gutenberg-tm License when you share it without charge with others. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "You think that he is dead?" Leadenhall Street. Anybody bringing--" occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin in a friendly supper." his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into distance from the station, and there we found the young lady moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "She was as bright as possible--at least until after the in this note: tear off another piece?' "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than "Yes, at the mines." thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have never came back." dead, shall be safe with us." you. Let the whole incident be a sealed book, and do not allow it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. their singular warning or token before them when starting upon the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from the inquest, and which are worth considering." that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate question you as to those details which seem to me to be most Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "How can you tell that?" in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Come in!" said Holmes. room. "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of subject to the trademark license, especially commercial of Fenchurch Street." and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink strength of mind to control. three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no to take care of herself." the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. disappearance of the bride.'" was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You have a clue?" have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo threw himself down with his face to the pillow. same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the to-night." "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel must be when I saw the door open.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "Pray continue your narrative." do." Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." "I would pay ten." moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." step brisk, and his bearing assured. He was plainly but neatly settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." breakfast and whispered something to her husband. threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never again." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "Pray let us have it, for all that." Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest "But what will you do?" has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses been with you?" as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his bird I ate is country bred." "I cannot tell." the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend.