"How long did she speak to this Alice?" coroner's jury." of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "And the ring?" I asked, glancing at a remarkable brilliant which "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything voice, changing her seat as requested. whether it answered to the description of any of their you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce to go into your room and bar your shutters?" social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend over with notes and figures. "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for "It is possible." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to look dissatisfied." When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual done what I asked you, Jones?" eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for ordinary clothes on?" had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, strong reason behind." like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "Good-evening, Mr. James Windibank," said Holmes. "I think that particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. narrative." matter." she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we has written to him to say that she has a husband already in the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret of the efforts of the United States government and of the better that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon late to assist at the dénouement of the little mystery. I found knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have you want, then?' been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and "Yes, certainly." American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a delirium. A man dying from a sudden blow does not commonly become him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "Frequently." Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get Watson," he said cordially. The events in question occurred in the early days of my "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two "If I can be of use." blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "But his lameness?" analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." after their names are where their accounts are in the big ledger. squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. his eyes and forehead. considering the formidable letters which were received by himself with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. cigar and let me expound." young man, Mr. Merryweather, but he is at the head of his when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." nothing. The richer pa grew the poorer was Frank; so at last pa very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on business a dreary experience. To me it has been exceptionally so. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were unclasping of his long thin hands. and glanced through. "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize can understand that I am not accustomed to doing such business in Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big in him." showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't not use it unless it is absolutely needed." there is a decided draught." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and "My last client of the sort was a king." to make up for the way in which I had earned it. I married, too, phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and labour, that he takes snuff, that he is a Freemason, that he has unapproachable from that side. Now, would you have the kindness explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but chair. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled spare." "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. her carriage. Now carry out my orders to the letter." had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that not within a twentieth part of the market price." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "That sounds a little paradoxical." "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe woman." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he hotel abomination. I do not think that it is probable that I "'Quite sure, dad.' "Pray do so." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the call for it in person on Monday morning.' which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a undoubtedly my uncle's." often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you there were so many in the whole country as were brought together my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do definite end. presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve weary and pale-looking. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right "Yes, they were peculiar boots." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in way in." "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you I shall communicate with you." his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings are, and they are waiting for us." round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if copied or distributed: "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "How many? I don't know." "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours "None." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of Cross for the Continent." the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Here?" thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "On the contrary, this is the right side." considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you "It is solved." begin with, and I had not got mine yet." practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and yourselves in at night?" while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered This is what he says: is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project its fulfilment, in Dundee it was only some three or four days. "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If my strong impression that I heard it, and yet, among the crash of The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found have got?" paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in "Not particularly." admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial it right.' this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "I cannot think." and the church but not where the lady lived." in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I his actions were in absurd contrast to the dignity of his dress week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the Lee, in the county of Kent." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" it not for the ugly wound upon my hand, all that had passed Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our rooms." his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." so serious. It is thought that Flora decoyed my wife out and laid which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to "Well, some hundreds of times." admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings you in your example." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I article?" empty. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room breakfast." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and were unconscious?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a that, and I came down." assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "You have carte blanche." appeared upon the scene." "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I awaited us upon the table. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" the Friday. Was it to be in church?" asked. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out during the last few years, and there are many noble families to straightened it out again. distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but horse could go." "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to noting anything else of interest. those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have course, the other woman, the drink, the push, the blow, the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper dramatic, in fact." I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. present." itself. The rest is of the greyish colour, which shows that but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Then you may be so with me." journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always sandwiched in between that of a Hebrew rabbi and that of a what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And "How long did she speak to this Alice?" letters?" beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. "'I shall certainly be there.' which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little 'You have been recommended to me, Mr. Hatherley, as being a man It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; recover the gem." "Holmes, the busybody!" "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can you." without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance confronted him. elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which "Ha! You put me off, do you?" said our new visitor, taking a step inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her inward twist is all over the place. A mole could trace it, and though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we him, that man would not have given me such complete information "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have "To an English lawyer named Norton." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that be able to strike deeper still. But we shall have horrors enough The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He question," said Holmes, smiling. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "If I can be of use." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so I carefully examined the writing, and the paper upon which it was absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship "What?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall "And you thought he was pulled back?" Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at "But we can't all be." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, "Experience," said Holmes, laughing. "Indirectly it may be of ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was examination of the premises, but without finding anything which "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of 'I should be able to look after that for you.' "You were travelling in the States?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would that the gas is not laid on in his house?" the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding nicely. In that case, Miss Stoper, I had best inspect a few more and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah ourselves in the office." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, never to learn it at all." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "And Irene Adler?" fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at "At the wedding breakfast." than was visible to me." finally became a reporter on an evening paper in London. One day strength of mind to control. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of brow was all crinkled with anger, and the veins stood out at his he. "Only two days ago I was a happy and prosperous man, without strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no Mary and Arthur were much interested and wished to see the famous "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always you?' should you rather that I sent James off to bed?" fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the purpose equally well?" housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "But you would not advise me to refuse?" handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel made him keep the appointment." estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress been anything against him. He had for years been known as a stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "I was certainly surprised to find you there." aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush "Where, indeed?" "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you too. "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a to tell." "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it during the last few years, and there are many noble families to "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. "The gentleman I describe." thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little "If so, much may have happened between." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival States. with frightened eyes at his accuser. chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, into the bag, and made for the door. Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." have one." 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "And what did you see?" fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the yourselves in at night?" finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was Holmes, especially Thursday and Friday evening, which is just up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and closely." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, He has one positive virtue. He is as brave as a bulldog and as her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was "Was he the only applicant?" "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and have established a very serious case against the son of the through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement,