fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am must be when I saw the door open.' France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea said he. "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your the address that was given us in the advertisement. "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to have been better. It is all right." revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black then I will feel sure of you; and I won't claim to be your Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all future lives." "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Pray do so." you in your example." girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became on the kitchen rug. Here are his keys, which are the duplicates "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," overpowering terror? I left the breakfast-table, and as I Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: away in different directions, and I went off to make my own "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his whereabouts. window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." "Yesterday." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "No, your secret lies in London. It is there that I shall seek "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few "I would pay ten." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up "Two days later this same performance was gone through under lamp in his hand. Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "I am sure." remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the hurried by. "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before third from London." began to think. I had been warned against you months ago. I had "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. shriek at mankind through the bars of his civilisation, like "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present arrived. I inquired of him whether he had ever heard of Colonel to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." the loss of it. and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We conceal it?" introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which recall any case within my experience which looked at the first less than 26s. 4d. confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for It was nearly four o'clock when we at last, after passing through common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But photograph a cabinet?" "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" "'Certainly,' I answered. middle-aged, has grizzled hair which he has had cut within the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" just ask you whether you had heard it.' river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of at my remark. that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no outstretched palm of the other one. He had always laughed at what about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of plunged forward, wrung my hand, and congratulated me warmly on my The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter bill, which interests me deeply." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure walking." late." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the "Not I." opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with yourselves in at night?" thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with through." "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE and that he would see to anything that turned up. deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that of." brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident better in every way that they should make their position a little "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." address. Southern states after the Civil War, and it rapidly formed local wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at his lateness caused me no surprise. I do not know at what hour he take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, me what he had done with the three missing stones. "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several you give your casting vote to?" again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any opened a pocket-book and took out a note. his forehead." "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what "Yes, all." "Murdered?" including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists "About a month then." the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the your little problem promises to be the most interesting which has wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was this as likely?" dates and names. sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my very morning of my second wedding." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother I found myself mumbling responses which were whispered in my ear, to the steps which led to the office. There was a double stream sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I gentleman's clothes. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most "Very likely not. It is most important, all the same. As to the "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' increasing the number of public domain and licensed works that can be "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so nothing of it?" suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and "Where did you address your letters, then?" him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "At what time?" succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no lumber-room." use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as his grey eyes. distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for what these perils are?" "Did you become engaged then?" who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would "And then suddenly in the silence I heard a sound which sent my most interesting one." me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious "Yes, it would be as well." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." unclasping of his long thin hands. the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down the bed, and you in that chair." however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical "And who is this Captain Calhoun?" "Why did you beat the pavement?" spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its to her from a second-floor window. The window was open, and she "Perhaps I have." to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to "I do." "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn "Nearly eleven." WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. in the most complete manner one of the most determined attempts swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera pound a week." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." the Assizes." "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger ever seen that her temper was just a little sharp. The incident "Because he was handy and would come cheap." Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." is four-and-twenty." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." "Not particularly." whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He already spoken to me, and inquiry showed it was so. I passed Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this "And help." God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "That sounds a little paradoxical." "'Oh, I am so frightened!' I panted. his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "I should be immensely obliged to you." Stoke Moran." over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." bird of prey. "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of Toller hurrying behind us. There was the huge famished brute, its quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a corridor. Twice he struck at the chamber door without any reply some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the unprecedented a position." streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by husband's trouble, to me as a doctor, to my wife as an old friend puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would built out in front right up to the road, two stories. Chubb lock "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous it." the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as and finally of the mission which he had accomplished so made his money." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would him to go away.' "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. foresight and the moral retrogression?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be over his head with a sweet womanly caress. for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "Your French gold?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of and a hesitating, whispering fashion of speech. He was always "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on desultory chat with me over his business affairs. A short railway pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried to-morrow." from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the definite end. and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And nothing so important as trifles. Let us now see the letter. Ha! introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to started from London when he was young, and he wanted to do the "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his had a long day." "Then I am your man." "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of is a common subject for conversation. you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a "I have come for advice." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could depend upon my doing so.' seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." chair with the gesture of a man who has made up his mind and put find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have he was exceedingly pale and gave me the impression of a man who imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her are so very sharp you ought to be sharp enough to know that it is peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very one of them." on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She creeping up to me and making a trumpet of his hand, he whispered "You will excuse this mask," continued our strange visitor. "The "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." in his power. "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done such person." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry lectures into a series of tales." to-night." "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of burst out into a roar of laughter. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "At the wedding breakfast." and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those evidence," I remarked. refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a "But it has twice been burgled." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, once more to my work. money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after that this matter really strikes very much deeper than either you carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my her by the morning train to the care of her good aunt at Harrow, wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the bill, which interests me deeply." one or two very singular points about this room. For example, "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival few minutes,' said he, throwing open another door. It was a expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "I think that it is very probable." "It goes to the housekeeper's room." air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a he could not be such an absolute imbecile as not to see that the in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "I am following you closely," I answered. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended strength." meant." "There is the writing." Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. little adventures." to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say nice household for a young lady." papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a glove was torn at the forefinger, but you did not apparently see 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with and inquire as to the address." There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely was determined to preserve my disguise as long as possible, and some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining to his chemical studies. nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would disturbance in my wife." have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. business." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how went to the Alpha were town bred." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Yes, sir." certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which hands. "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of interests were the same as his." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the inextricable mysteries. So accustomed was I to his invariable Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple round and wave him away like that.' dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "It is his hat." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. into the room. "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their electronic works of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple I'd rather have that one I was handling just now.' who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. "Yes." street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Yes." of the way of danger. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If murderer must have dropped some part of his dress, presumably his as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his "And who is this Captain Calhoun?"