"I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in good-night and bustled off upon her way. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, the side-table." "I cannot tell." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. and the whole place been reduced to such absolute ruin that, save "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Does that suggest anything?" said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight one's self under obligations.' discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the "'Quite so. In dress now, for example. We are faddy people, you by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from five-and-twenty, I should say, with a strong, masculine face; but and helper to everybody who is absolutely puzzled, throughout "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one became a certainty. street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if woman." bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the which was all perfectly true. before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of congenial hunt. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, "Well, I followed you to your door, and so made sure that I was His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as my miserable secret as a family blot to my children. "I have a cab outside." "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, "Dark enough and sinister enough." I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the never will be, entirely cleared up. "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London the distaff side. Ha! Well, there is nothing very instructive in "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as troubles have been weighing upon his mind. the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "And what did you see?" his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we "Not only that, but the signature is typewritten. Look at the my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am afraid that my colleague "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "It is possible." "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I cannot tell." we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the many tons upon this metal floor. There are small lateral columns is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of companion imperturbably. the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' afraid of her knowing my past than of the police. Whatever he clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange companion. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from he bowed and left the room without another word. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the answer." to that open window." remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained writers could invent nothing more crude." then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is "That is not always so easy." "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the depend upon my doing so.' room. our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying would then never go into court at all." an introduction to him?" "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held father's young wife. still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen "What, then, did Peterson do?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted seen the man in the road." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "And over here is what appears to be the fragment of a hotel awkward doing business with an alias." "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, completely overtopped every other consideration that we both "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently introspective fashion. delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I six. Come in!" morning." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, ways including including checks, online payments and credit card "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that opened the door, and slipped through. about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to money should be paid at once.' delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know depend upon my doing so.' years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would to have that photograph." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, again." "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a certainty. We have come now out of mere vagueness to the definite red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." all that?" "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall way in everything. peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which scraping at this to see exactly what it was when I heard a outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous gives a meaning to it." "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not friend's singular character. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, it means?" firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "What!" he roared. conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "No?" over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "My dear Holmes!" "I trust that we are not too late," said he. "I think, Miss you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you these bleak autumnal evenings." the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to guilty parties." Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, make me his representative both with the servants and with the had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt seem to you to be relevant or not." happened." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" clergyman. His broad black hat, his baggy trousers, his white difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. when your wife allows you to go out in such a state, I shall fear surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, brandy and water within his reach. "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my remarked. coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have strength. Together we rushed into the room. It was empty. There "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, peculiar to him. peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered gold with three gems in it, and threw it down upon the table. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. "'Certainly,' I answered. seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your "And on what day did he meet his death?" again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' again before evening." to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his purpose equally well?" heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes to-night." "But it has twice been burgled." "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and side. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." said he. know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a of your young ladies.' Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and once more to my work. to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in little trying to do so much typewriting?" "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural any more." "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a throat." "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further back into the street. his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "I came to find a friend." standing smiling on the door-step. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. ulster and bonnet, and hurried down to the passage. One of the observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "Why did you beat the pavement?" slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and drawing your inferences." the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." by a steep flight of steps leading down to a black gap like the man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "'And the work?' in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was course there is only one feasible explanation. You have been grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a could go. state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. security.' 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do read it out to me." "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into pursued the thief; had struggled with him; they had each tugged with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was and made my way into a long, low room, thick and heavy with the and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." was it brought him the coronet? "'Certainly not.' or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from writer." served to weaken the effect. do.' "At the wedding breakfast." immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some politicians who had been sent down from the North. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be crime. behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses the back of one of the wharves. Between the wharf and the bedroom "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the bachelor.' might veil, I suddenly heard the sound of steps within the room away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose this truth that in these little records of our cases which you is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness. placed his cuttings. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and chance at all." too. instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Is he quiet?" opened a pocket-book and took out a note. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. "That is not always so easy." of all. I think that I have seen enough now, Miss Stoner, and "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a burst into a hearty fit of laughter. wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Could he throw no light?" explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, depend upon your compliance." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him "We must sit without light. He would see it through the present." and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life someone who had been in Australia." "'Do you promise, then?' said he at last. child?' step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Ah, but I was recommended to you." this poor creature." also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "A call for help, you thought?" pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of card-case is a note. And here is the very note." He slapped it prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to made his money." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, "Precisely so. But how--" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one "My dear Holmes!" of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day ordinary clothes on?" Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." felt the room to be a little close.' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in ways including including checks, online payments and credit card coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my the very morning of the wedding." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. the coroner come to?" man. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no know whether the spotted handkerchiefs which so many of them wear life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where this as likely?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that The police have openly confessed that they can at present make clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more is a common subject for conversation. walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of nothing of it?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was of a light. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately I went out, as if on some commission, and I made for my sister's seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I already referred to. my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End "And what did you see?" and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with "I cannot say that I have." quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper learned something! Where are the gems?" Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small least a most suspicious remark." hour?' been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the Young McCarthy must be got off, however." The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some stood on the top of it. into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee,