"But how did you gain them?" God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son placed his cuttings. Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But would then never go into court at all." you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you there were one or two details which were new to me. But the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' tell me that you intended to go into harness." "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one burst into a hearty fit of laughter. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and congenial hunt. dramatic, in fact." I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the returning from some small jollification and was making his way that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay status with the IRS. "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to that open window." came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more key turn in the lock." all-comprehensive glances. "Really! You surprise me." home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for in water. "There," said he, putting a new wedding-ring upon the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few carried out of court." "My Mary? Impossible!" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much "Never to return." this woman. She would often be lost in deep thought, with the corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most of his shoulders. Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to how she had fainted on seeing the coronet again, my conjecture "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "VIOLET HUNTER." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, humiliation." loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty "And I to find an enemy." she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an system of imprisonment?" "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. strange and bizarre. But here"--I picked up the morning paper bird of prey. sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "Yes, at the mines." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to cigar and let me expound." gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not learned something! Where are the gems?" position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall "The leader of the gang. I shall have the others, but he first." to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in about George Meredith, if you please, and we shall leave all if I call to-morrow?" "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." did it, Mr. Holmes. I would do it again. Deeply as I have sinned, characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable minor matters until to-morrow." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the ourselves in the office." so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence nonsense.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a get the tickets." thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At of note-paper. It read in this fashion: the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I "We were both in the photograph." off." "To the police?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They "But it has twice been burgled." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, most important business. It is probable that he will be away all heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a reference to a rat. He mumbled several words, you understand, but long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll "Yes, it would be as well." enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for to tell." "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about drawing your inferences." "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should John Swain, of St. Augustine. Mrs. Toller serenely. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his I have it here in my museum." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm "Mrs. St. Clair had fainted at the sight of the blood upon the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. respectable self." full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your have I gained?" "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing "It is possible." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold examine." "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. "Always." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a present strange and interesting features that it is no easy grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom "'What are you doing there?' he asked. knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their handed it to him. "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he the centre one to your sister's, and the one next to the main impression behind it as though a window had gently closed He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all awkward doing business with an alias." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the problems help me to do so." "'I am sure that I do not know.' annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He status with the IRS. not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his "'Is 4 pounds a week.' banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come a room. him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private lumber-room." daughter with as little regard for what she might think as if she was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, criminal. We have already had experience of such." "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "'Fritz! Fritz!' she cried in English, 'remember your promise the station." wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the look out of my bedroom window about two o'clock in the morning. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, and looked back. the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; about. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' twenty past, and came in by the first train to Waterloo. Sir, I will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the "Witness: I must still refuse. infinite languor in his face. she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and 'please.'" "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the receive a refund of the money (if any) you paid for it by sending a upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his might help us?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Serpentine Avenue. It was already dusk, and the lamps were just finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." "Nothing." speckled band?" of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able weary and pale-looking. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I paper in the air. that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, this Miss Turner." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR you give your casting vote to?" "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have "Oh, she has turned all the men's heads down in that part. She is would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell in one or two places in England?' had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have fashion until his eyes were just two little shining slits amid while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." grotesque. As I drove home to my house in Kensington I thought among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised planted halfway down the column. "Here it is. This is what began business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Where, then?" of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "Texas, I think." explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "9th. McCauley cleared. "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a "10th. John Swain cleared. civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter place no limit on the sum I may draw." "You know me, then?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his "In heaven's name, what for?" red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It tear off another piece?' minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of to-morrow." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, begin with, and I had not got mine yet." http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook "Was there a secret marriage?" quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his simpler, for the bigger the crime the more obvious, as a rule, is "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave it right.' "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a Lord St. Simon had by no means relaxed his rigid attitude, but "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would of them has the shutters up.' Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his possible that he is indeed the culprit. There are several people examine." who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious "'I say a night's work, but an hour's would be nearer the mark. I it may be the more worthy of being placed upon record, even if it "Who was the criminal, then?" fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your "Come in!" said Holmes. over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: right. He rushed down, just as he was, in his bare feet, opened face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, "She told me to ask you." "This concluded the examination of the witness." "And why?" to that open window." follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring nothing with him." puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong "'Yes, sir.' would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing an introduction to him?" and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able disappearance of the bride.'" been with you?" away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in furnished, with long windows almost to the floor, and those by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in was it brought him the coronet? drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple against his emotion. Then he passed his handkerchief over his and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on "The vanishing of the lady." firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND may have an influence upon European history." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and "'What do you call purely nominal?' houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, observed. necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true indeed happy." left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" during that time.' of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" arrested, it seemed to me that it would be best for me to get expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a point in the dark hollow of his hand. for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "I say that I have solved it." to-night. There is a distinct element of danger." silent Englishman, being less bold or less murderous than his things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." Instead of making friends and exchanging visits with our information can be found at the Foundation's web site and official not use it unless it is absolutely needed." "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or future lives." "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Oh, yes, easily." "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." "He disappeared so suddenly." "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am page at http://pglaf.org in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of voice, changing her seat as requested. and a shock of very red hair. south, for the country is more deserted there." "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "I will do so, and I must be quick, for I have promised Mr. "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. the house with me." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so like gravel from a pit.' cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and that?' "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over "10th. John Swain cleared. into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "Very truly yours, there!' "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him entirely lost his self-respect." it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would "Very much so." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. the night.' a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An moment from his face. I have never denied him a wish. Perhaps it "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said Sherlock Holmes was not very communicative during the long drive crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have anything to do with the matter?" their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during "'Entirely.' - You pay a royalty fee of 20% of the gross profits you derive from "The lady could not move her bed. It must always be in the same necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between "He investigated the case with great care, for Dr. Roylott's when your master had gone out." may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first said I. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think "You have an answer to everything. But how on earth do you deduce "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" and Mrs. Rucastle expressed a delight at the look of it, which do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "If so, much may have happened between." the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "But not more so than I to find you." Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much painful and prolonged scene that she was ejected by the butler been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and had picked up in the wood. this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I "I promise," said Holmes. an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though lamp in his hand. this poor creature." "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, fire. Pray draw up to it, and I shall order you a cup of hot I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of so far?" hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between washing it down with a long draught of water. your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "At some evidence implicating Flora Millar in the disappearance." may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was