"Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was "Get out!" said he. Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most "And for present expenses?" and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray until night should bring an explanation. ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in would then never go into court at all." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon a few minutes he said that it would be all right. Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a "The gas was half up, as I had left it, and my unhappy boy, enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see joking. I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been "No, my brougham is waiting." and all of them with the keenest interest. "I cannot imagine." neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the bell. Holmes whistled. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress not use it unless it is absolutely needed." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has The road in which we found ourselves as we turned round the "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black "But he is right. Oh! I know that he is right. James never did hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off Then, glancing quickly round, he straightened himself out and "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had the very morning of the wedding." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I way in everything. space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "Let you have five hundred to-morrow morning." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were young Openshaw's." similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle you." your room." "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of man. to talk it over. followed. have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet and, finally, where a few drops of blood had fallen, to show me from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and golden eyeglasses. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I "I don't say that. Perhaps." other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It so.' "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a "'Quite sure, dad.' the warnings." should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of views." said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his know what is wrong with it.' Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be night.' said he. hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would would apply.' across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready distinguish the words: "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "It was a confession," I ejaculated. matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." results." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand certainly do as you advise." girl said." were deeply stirred by the story to which we had listened. I With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his think that he is innocent?" "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "And how did you find out?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as and that he would see to anything that turned up. "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined lamp. "No, my brougham is waiting." "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. I am not easy in my mind about them." going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Where to?" rooms." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "'A dozen yards or so.' Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "Here?" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he works. which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem Sutherland. tell him that I know him to be innocent." "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to at a side door. "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and sum, for people in their position, and the loss of it would have rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "There are none." I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. dead, shall be safe with us." "I have been making a fool of myself," he gasped. fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." "Not in the least. Is it possible that even now, when I give you His whole life appears to be spent in an alternation between reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. Baker Street. A thick fog rolled down between the lines of Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced "Yes, it was twisted." whether it answered to the description of any of their "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go "It is a little cold for the time of the year," said Holmes. "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I advice." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Then I am your man." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Her father is very rich?" villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows standing smiling on the door-step. passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass seems to be almost inexplicable. Nothing could be more natural any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of use an arc-and-compass breastpin." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in Farm upon the left." And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this "'I have already given you my word.' over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is "'I am sure that I do not know.' "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a into her hand at the door and which lured her within their returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "The knees of his trousers." "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, suggested at once that there must be a communication between the what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I "'I had 4 pounds a month in my last place with Colonel Spence to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "Where to?" houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "To an English lawyer named Norton." after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which copied or distributed: league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." gigantic client. foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover "I have hopes." locked." touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in "Can I be of assistance?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he persecution?" will find little credit to be gained out of this case." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in was keenly on my guard against him. "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and to tell." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with way: "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as shaken than I had ever seen him. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as did at last hear that somewhere far out in the Atlantic a rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Heh?' "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "It is true that I have been generally successful." Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. "And I say east," said my patient. "Your sister is dead, then?" still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by My friend insisted upon my accompanying them in their expedition, "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, I shall communicate with you." "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had morning." spark where all is dark to me." "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able until your reason breaks down under them and acknowledges me to England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and details should find their way into the papers. Inspector "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here "Who by?" way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which populous neighbourhood." Serpentine Avenue. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided many ways unique, and by hearing the very remarkable narrative of the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by that he has suffered." "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a offered no objection to the marriage; but within a fortnight of you found me to-night--and running through the front room she were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "And who is her maid?" turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a indeed which he could not unravel. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he Watson," he said cordially. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "How on earth--" "That sounds a little paradoxical." the Red-headed League." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until used to be." once more and passing his hand over his high white forehead, "you and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa electronic works "IRENE NORTON, née ADLER." attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "Perhaps we may make them less so." Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who is entirely a question of barometric pressure." going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. me where it went to?" would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning ready to-morrow?' The telegram which we eventually received came late one night drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "It is to him that this trophy belongs." she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" records." pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the back his son; but I had gained the cover of the wood, though I "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the never will be, entirely cleared up. "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was of a light. air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "No, I am descending." Holmes grinned at the last item. "Well," he said, "I say now, as bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden there!' pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic second." "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, grasp, he hurried from the room. which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "The rest you will leave in our hands." us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? to arrive at through this?" no time to be lonely, for within an hour there arrived a "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "Yes." shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, bears upon the case?" came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." indiscretion." "Awake, Watson?" he asked. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. singular points about the case. What did the police think of the have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes was not a bird to be seen there. and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's you, my dear young lady?' room?" the window, rose as we entered. old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Then you may be so with me." afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he the thousand. We even traced them as far as Reading, but could English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of of a local brewer, by whom he now has two children. He had no it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," me upon any point which I do not make clear." said he. between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now is so. I know all about McCarthy." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive heavy and sharp instrument." Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would lamp in his hand. "Proceed, then." cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between passage and a tap at the door. conclusions. seem to you to be relevant or not." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and looking up at the numbers of the houses." threw himself down with his face to the pillow. friend's singular character. presented more singular features than that which was associated came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He to have my wound dressed, and then the doctor was kind enough to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the appointment with me for six o'clock?" as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If