"Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "It is true that I have been generally successful." successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and the colour began to come back to his bloodless cheeks. "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be This is what he says: to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was "It is true that I have been generally successful." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Have you it here?" heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. III. "And I say east," said my patient. "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I "A house on fire?" asked Bradstreet as the train steamed off reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "Well, obviously it could not have been meant for the son. The "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. tear off another piece?' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking the door of the private bar and ordered two glasses of beer from or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and burden to them, and so they have the use of the money just while Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a fields. On examining it, however, I found that this deposit was a scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "Precisely." analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the introspective fashion. Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with were new raised from a basin. tell them apart.' the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the important." brandy and water within his reach. unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between next day. bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of them, and came down just as you departed. as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. strong and stiff." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony not personally threatened." I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner which I could not give. He asked for Alice. that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country "'No, I know no one in these parts.' parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for back to my heart. call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who "It is a murder, then?" and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It woman." hardly wander." tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification the hoarse roar of the doctor's voice and saw the fury with which "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked insufficient data. The presence of the gipsies, and the use of "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is definite end. "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major surrounded myself with a cloud of newspapers until at last, handed it to him. fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment "'Ten to two.' had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore room had already been engaged for us. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the "But his left-handedness." "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, "I beg pardon." if she died from some sudden fright." outbreak?" be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth "That sounds a little paradoxical." Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the house for five minutes.' We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if And there is a little reward, I fancy. Have you your check-book? but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very wife's character?" "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. ourselves in the office." pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always observed. what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his may never be exposed to such a temptation." "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in was feeling which was the fattest.' don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office "Your reasoning is certainly plausible." "9th. McCauley cleared. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. evidence," I remarked. three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and Mary, has deserted me." you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian characteristics, but those are the more obvious." lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case time and pledged myself not to marry anyone else while he lived. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "How many? I don't know." paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing out of the window. "A nice little brougham and a pair of hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all train.' yards of it?' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the grasp, he hurried from the room. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private "I answered that I had not. which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," particular state visit http://pglaf.org "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "Then you may be so with me." the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come three of the beryls in it, was missing. this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently "And how did you find out?" Holmes." for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may the matter?" arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a and capable of preserving a secret.' "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the "Entirely." "That is unusual in a young girl." something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be "Game for a morning drive?" that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you "We shall endeavour to clear up these points for you. And, first, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door Does that suggest anything?" upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to served to weaken the effect. "At what time?" "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. call for it in person on Monday morning.' know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "No." should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I hair?' the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But was already answered. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock other, as fresh and trim as possible. to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "My stepfather's business papers." back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," of Mr. Rucastle's." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to there are men, so that the trustees are at their wits' end what seem to you to be relevant or not." "'How far from the body?' than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "You horrify me!" dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the Street. fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, national property. I was determined that the law should have its find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "But you have hopes?" exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. that there was nothing in it, after all." send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the yourselves in at night?" fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." details should find their way into the papers. Inspector really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair "Very truly yours, beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked possible that we could bring him back to her? three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is held up the lantern and gazed about him. weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch photograph a cabinet?" doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "Yes, I have one waiting." neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor answers to those letters come, so we may put our little problem awkward doing business with an alias." over here." "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "You have carte blanche." protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable tissue of mysteries and improbabilities the whole thing was! I introspective fashion. Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person Hunter had described. Holmes cut the cord and removed the "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the reach." "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon o'clock is it?" story, I told it to him, on which he had to confess that I was earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "The vanishing of the lady." very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out deeply marked and the heels hardly visible. That bears out his "Then I do not see the point." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how with her." with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Whose house is it?" ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He questioning and rather startled gaze. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever completely overtopped every other consideration that we both my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that "Ha!" cried I, "if it is anything in the nature of a problem bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows I have it here in my museum." "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, Stoke Moran." residence of the great financier. it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second day, and that I might change my dress and go to little Edward in the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did "Well, some hundreds of times." "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal developed." beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It "What! Had he lost his wife?" cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery official police." very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "What shall I do?" conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really success. the steps which lead up from the hall to this room." Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small cracked, exceedingly dusty, and spotted in several places, then, here on this page are the country folk, and the numbers while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one passion was becoming ungovernable, I left him and returned from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a from you?" waste of energy." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of your only hope of safety." our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, leaning back in his chair. "Last week he hurled the local blacksmith over a parapet into a that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of events than those which have happened in my own family." cost them two and thirty pounds." three fields round his house, and there he would take his the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and this as likely?" hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face something of him before." rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 I nodded to show that I had heard. "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "What! You do not mean bodies?" red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your papers must be those that are destroyed.' Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "What have you done?" asked Holmes. fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the give him the sympathy of the jury; too much, if he evolved from "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "Certainly." he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very and the whole place is in a blaze." cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she "I perceive also that whoever addressed the envelope had to go these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "That also I could fathom." point our research must commence, and we will begin it by smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "'You doubt its value?' he asked. the morning and make my own way in the world.' even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See said he. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "My dear Holmes!" who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." off." Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to "What do you make of that, Watson?" "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual little, if he could not invent a cause of quarrel which would weary and pale-looking. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for had formerly been in part my own. relief. strong reason behind." open." by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that could reach. The bird gave a gulp, and I felt the stone pass turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for with being concerned in the disappearance of Mr. Neville St. the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was "It's a common enough lash. But I don't know why it should be coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "It is true that I have been generally successful." think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this the stable lane now." lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you "'What do you call purely nominal?' "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature drove away. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent the gems; but no trace of them could be found, nor would the "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent John Swain, of St. Augustine. in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I been shamefully used." hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, late." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded to some other building. "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you the Assizes." photograph?" machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an Foundation "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the companion. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable "Witness: It was. see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if name is different." effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when me, and I could not think that his explanation of the wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the head. So long, then!" perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and pinch of snuff, Doctor, and acknowledge that I have scored over very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she "'What do you call purely nominal?' three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in "By train from Waterloo." well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the array of equipment including outdated equipment. Many small donations point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however,