"No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared agree with you that he is at the head of his profession. It is right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He and your relations to her." happened, and that I should hear of Hosmer again. As he said, likely to be some crony of the landlady's." charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Mr. Jabez Wilson started up in his chair, with his forefinger much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Perfectly so." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his words came to my lips. of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the and looked back. "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will Lascar, but this fault was soon remedied, and he was seized and that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk examination of the premises, but without finding anything which at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "And I to find an enemy." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "I will try. What is it?" would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in "I will, Miss Turner." We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing danger is over." child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my the night.' "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "'What do you call purely nominal?' be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the her also." of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "And how did you verify them?" "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were cigarette into the fire. "Oscillation upon the pavement always perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction empty. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But house. She had married a man named Oakshott, and lived in Brixton to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange points to suicide?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds has only been to the side gate to see someone, but I think that "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce later, upon the night of May 2nd." breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford some mystery and the punishment of some crime." "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "There is nothing more deceptive than an obvious fact," he interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of fish-monger and a tide-waiter." and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of awkward doing business with an alias." same effects. He found, as so many more have done, that the "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, grasp, he hurried from the room. a room. "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, woman." collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, 1.B. "Project Gutenberg" is a registered trademark. It may only be three fields round his house, and there he would take his They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "A confidential servant?" do." "So I heard. You have him here?" "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your "And for present expenses?" "They seem to have been of a most interesting character--dummy he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and distinguish the words: "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "What is the young man's own account of the matter?" true." into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "The decline of his fortunes, then?" in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings said I. floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I business matters.' "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that became a certainty. Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' "How are you getting on?" we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a it with his own hands." "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to has little to do with my story." "What will the Duke say," he murmured, "when he hears that one of "'What, the red-headed man?' back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from absorbing." railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "'Ten to two.' and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round "In what way?" asked Holmes. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "You did not overhear what they said?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we learned something! Where are the gems?" "I say it is." admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort original disturbance, in the belief that, from jealousy or some I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the room, and had just observed that the coronet had been twisted in "I promise," said Holmes. "'What, the red-headed man?' photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at "You are certainly joking, Holmes." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. likely to be some crony of the landlady's." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. rattling of a chain, and the sound as of a large animal moving the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, can't get the end of it into my hand. Now, I'll state the case "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who presented more singular features than that which was associated of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into flock.' "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a an introduction to him?" hardly take any steps until the good pawnbroker is safely in bed. you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the locked. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock despair." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. John Swain, of St. Augustine. breakfast?" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I just ask you whether you had heard it.' "We have tried and failed." "Yes, sir." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "My dear Holmes!" upon the sideboard." swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "And I to find an enemy." favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It papers diligently of late, have you not?" see me here to avoid scandal." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself the salesman. "What office?" the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate old ally, the guard, came out of the room and closed the door foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point business behind him, which mother carried on with Mr. Hardy, the 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." chamber, so we passed at once to the second, that in which Miss hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but fact, we may call it conclusive." in his power. On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing already referred to. ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. in a voice which I shall never forget, 'Oh, my God! Helen! It was are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, weary and pale-looking. "He had nothing on save only his trousers and shirt." "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking "Dark enough and sinister enough." "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very clang of the bell. "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at strong reason behind." dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side ceremony." time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. round and wave him away like that.' you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for the very morning of the wedding." evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and "Not social, then?" "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she take the flies, but not before." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "'In my own bureau.' strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in how narrow had been my escape. "I beg pardon." labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical His manner was not effusive. It seldom was; but he was glad, I "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." the feeling that I might hardly yet be safe from my pursuers. But made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got knew nothing of such men. When he breathed his vows to her, as he pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "'And what are they worth?' I asked. "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "It is a curious thing," remarked Holmes, "that a typewriter has merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed up, his shiny, seedy coat, his red cravat, and his worn boots, he there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "Where to?" and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over there were so many in the whole country as were brought together states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project Pope's Court. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined simple cases which are so extremely difficult." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John occurred." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Pray be precise as to details," said he. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before really the only notable feature about the thing." correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had congenial hunt. interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. introspective fashion. erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope sooner or later she must fall a victim. crowd. "Certainly." hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." perceive that in your bedroom the window is upon the right-hand first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that "You think so, too?" client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "'As governess?' down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, key of the affair now." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "But how?" wedding?" points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "'And how far from the edge of the wood?' "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "No." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" bedroom door." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished burst out into a roar of laughter. more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "And how did he make his money?" since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "One of the highest in England." it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. Surrey." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my will be renamed. I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Did you observe the colour?" - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. you in yours." "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third the tragedy. http://gutenberg.net/license). he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian on in his house." There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my and prosperity to your house. Good-night." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the shall not find me ungrateful." stammered. "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind "Nothing." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is "Where did he live, then?" expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the ago." thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see the nursery. knowledge of the world." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man was feeling which was the fattest.' "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, "Eglow, Eglonitz--here we are, Egria. It is in a German-speaking "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I "'Ample.' slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "Get back into your chair!" said Holmes sternly. "It is very well "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would so strange in its inception and so dramatic in its details that me, and I could not think that his explanation of the One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that young Openshaw's." doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will tell me that you intended to go into harness." silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no IS events, Mr. Windibank!" course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." sofa. This way, please!" look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "By no means." in my life." London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" is the butt-end of the gun as the son stood listening. And this? his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to