"No." "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw "Why? What do you mean?" know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are "'What would be the hours?' I asked. year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you to take care of herself." The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "The gentleman I describe." and wait." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. not within a twentieth part of the market price." himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts "In the cells." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" tied." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, business." "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange process of deduction. "When I hear you give your reasons," I upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. the matter now, so I locked it up in my private safe and turned near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." well-lit dining-room, upon the table of which a cold supper had handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called three fields round his house, and there he would take his perplexity from it to my illustrious client. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin "No more words. Get out!" mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must upon the sideboard." at a side door. "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too Leadenhall Street--and--" purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled delighted to hear it," he said. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a your equipment. and effective." purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The entirely devoid of interest." relief. suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind "And I say east," said my patient. WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit instituted." been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "You will not go there first?" "He certainly needs a wash," remarked Holmes. "I had an idea that I could see by his manner that he had stronger reasons for "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'Is 4 pounds a week.' Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Yes." enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do voice. "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "You have carte blanche." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical even so self-evident a thing as that." theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic guilty one." Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "I am all attention, madam." refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "Why, it's a dummy," said he. I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. I held the little printed slip to the light. "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." see me here to avoid scandal." been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: how narrow had been my escape. "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the the curve of the avenue. It was a smart little landau which soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news one else, I think." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a some water from a caraffe. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' friends, not even his own brother. is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my where the snow was cut up as though there had been a struggle, since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing when you have done it." which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for the Countess to part with half her fortune if she could but favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as new acquaintance to Baker Street. pound a week." "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is roofs some distance to the left; "but if you want to get to the has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Oh, yes, easily." went to the Alpha were town bred." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy night.' said he. glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that papers must be those that are destroyed.' I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "But what will you do?" very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend and no precautions can guard against." "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding results." "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was "Then how many are there?" and your relations to her." I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "In what way?" asked Holmes. tell him that I know him to be innocent." across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "I should be immensely obliged to you." of them has the shutters up.' "I don't believe it." snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage grasp, he hurried from the room. "No. What a strange idea!" opium. The habit grew upon him, as I understand, from some tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will standing smiling on the door-step. Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "Why serious?" surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the it right.' "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "What have you to say now?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the iron safe, which he closed upon it. The question was hardly out of my mouth, and Holmes had not yet "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." some terrible trap for her." read over the extraordinary announcement. Bristol, and his father did not know where he was. Mark that say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is the day and to come right away with me. He was very willing to herself in evening dress, the letter was superscribed to outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what strength of mind to control. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at said he at last. which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at to that open window." condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and Clair, of Lee." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and the best of training." of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and and wait." "And how have you succeeded?" before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "I was certainly surprised to find you there." was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny better grown goose." the night.' affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with "You have carte blanche." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert "I will, Miss Turner." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, were new raised from a basin. "'Is purely nominal.' than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a Leadenhall Street--and--" impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into look dissatisfied." he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "What then?" fait accompli?" "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. "Where is it, then?" loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs distinguish the words: forebodings. together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning upon the shelf for the interim." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, when your master had gone out." states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "I am to be neutral?" struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin reach." "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said train.' very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his him, that man would not have given me such complete information same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a threw himself down with his face to the pillow. residence of the great financier. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Not in the least." nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' place of silver." need cause you no inconvenience. As regards your hair, it is no and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." papers on the sundial.'" of campaign. "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does front of me. drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a one which it was hard to resist. "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little Holmes." "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, outbreak?" "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached IS "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong events, Mr. Windibank!" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. DAMAGE. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; father's young wife. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over I held the little printed slip to the light. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months chamber." "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter "And Irene Adler?" question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project ventilator." "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, invariably locked, and which he would never permit either me or weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the it." what these perils are?" have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on and inquire as to the address." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior yourselves in at night?" smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "'Yes, I promise.' "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and pound a week." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "Where, indeed?" process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go stalked out of the room. could not be bought under half a crown a packet. It is peculiarly suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in corner of the building. While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of been deceived." ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "Pray tell us what has happened to you." Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had chemical work which was so dear to him. skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, quick march!" I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, his knees, staring into the fire. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate behind me. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man "What I expected to see." his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most letters?" and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, your sleep?' of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing of a light. me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful other, as fresh and trim as possible. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled "A confidential servant?" that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the "The grass was growing under it. It had only lain there a few of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of made his money." freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave away to you." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So II. "But she could not love him." impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House nights." keep the flames under. he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond "That was it, sir." when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, geese which you supplied to the Alpha." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the disappearance of the bride.'" away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his this poor creature." and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a presume?" practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really this as likely?" in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he becomes even more simple." help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend case is an instance of crime or not, but the course of events is dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor sentimental considerations in the background which would induce story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming before the coroner and the police-court." a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so other, as fresh and trim as possible. "What will you say?" Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered to take care of herself." these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either relation between them, and what the object of his repeated total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding happened." last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," highly," said Holmes. would break her heart--it will break her heart when she hears "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking to-night?" I asked. charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "How long did she speak to this Alice?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are http://gutenberg.net/license). deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger to that open window." contrast between the sweet promise of the spring and this "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their it were putty." and no precautions can guard against." "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." This is what he says: "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a You will find it here, and may read it for yourself."