until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you might have a private word with us. to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who fight. She had hardly said the words when young Mr. McCarthy came following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked we had a wild, free life of it, sticking up a station from time "How did you deduce the select?" "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott which tend to make the matter even no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his one of the states of the Union." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, Where does the thing come from?' Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." you." "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be collapse. I suppose that I am commuting a felony, but it is just lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "What?" yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than handed it to him. rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal ready to-morrow?' "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, of the inhabited wing of Stoke Moran Manor House. At dusk we saw himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. the driver. observed. ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of weapon." Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the journey, but the colonel answered only in monosyllables, and the anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "There was a double line of tracks of a booted man, and a second that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three which I could not give. He asked for Alice. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. way in." down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a your equipment. Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were have established a very serious case against the son of the pure matter of form. Is the security sufficient?' "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day has little to do with my story." which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of quick march!" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. you understand?" Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss occupations.' pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it "I cannot imagine." platform save a single sleepy porter with a lantern. As I passed husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the gentleman's clothes. matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the "It is possible." "No sign of it?" banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. and a shock of very red hair. beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be "And the cigar-holder?" from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is "What then?" she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is could not have written that. It is the German who is so "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend George Burnwell, was enough to draw him back again. off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and was it brought him the coronet? frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "'It is locked up,' I answered. was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be arrested. You then--" gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "But how will you look?" same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even occupations.' lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I prisoner's face. there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had "How did you deduce the select?" "Nothing?" rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure constraint." light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical trying to your nerves." when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. papers on the sundial.'" sneer upon his pale face. "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." been anything against him. He had for years been known as a some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back character. "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very both my hat and the bird. I did not care to spend more money in a "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to keep the flames under. "Yes." unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his "He is still with you, I presume?" in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER never will be, entirely cleared up. "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come absolutely true, then what hellish thing, what absolutely How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "You think so, too?" be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were Swandam Lane on her way back to the station. Have you followed me among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it his injuries. He was not a popular man, being somewhat cold and Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and "Absolutely none." "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Look there!" said he. British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of beam of light upon the iron safe, the door of which was ajar. some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he it means?" lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own door. 'I shall not keep you waiting an instant,' said he, and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "Yes, certainly." "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across "And what did you learn from him?" that you can jump it.' works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain He took an orange from the cupboard, and tearing it to pieces he "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "You see," remarked Holmes, as we paced to and fro in front of at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding face towards us, in a very deep sleep, breathing slowly and "It is really very good of you to come, Watson," said he. "It "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "Not him." and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking keep the flames under. Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, the loss of it. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I of blue. It was of excellent material, a sort of beige, but it Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "And how have you succeeded?" married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man already referred to. "Witness: Nothing definite. "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "It is our task to find that out," replied Holmes; "so now, if chance." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" thick-soled shooting-boots and a grey cloak, smokes Indian benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "My stepfather's business papers." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do about. Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir providing it to you may choose to give you a second opportunity to see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into Square. Let us now explore the parts which lie behind it." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but up this clue while it is still hot." I held the little printed slip to the light. best detective that ever lived. beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been that the gas is not laid on in his house?" astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him little cold supper began to be laid out upon our humble Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened point our research must commence, and we will begin it by how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Never." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "'Oh, no.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "You'll never persuade me to believe that." prove to be an interesting case, you would, I am sure, wish to Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came "Oh, yes, easily." "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Now, then, what's the last entry?" doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: The events in question occurred in the early days of my exercising enormous pressure. When I passed outside, however, and on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He McCarthy." away into the river." sum ten times over from my friends, but I much prefer to make it the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "I assure you that I am in your hands." "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, "Stolen." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are then?" License. You must require such a user to return or When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end was a lad." lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "Who by?" light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Who by?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the "No." He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." "Who by?" and I shall be with you presently." profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and at the signal to throw in this object, then to raise the cry whether it answered to the description of any of their his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out Countess of Morcar's?" electronic works It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could While she was walking in this way down Swandam Lane, she suddenly jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you to some other building. reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for lounging in his armchair amid his improvisations and his he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the arms and began to sob in a high treble key. without success. At last the little money which I had saved began foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of not come at once?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you woman." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was acquaintance?" to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the generous with you in money matters.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" "Why? What do you mean?" of remaining where I was. She was about to renew her entreaties before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he "Stolen." He had hardly shut the door behind him when Holmes rose to put on "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." politicians who had been sent down from the North. American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I and all of them with the keenest interest. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly Lestrade of Scotland Yard." Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so sound at heart." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward wherever Sir George Burnwell is. It is equally certain, too, that evidence," I remarked. and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine this case, Watson, if there is nothing else." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging village inn over there?" characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang from the brougham. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "No, no, there's life in him!" shouted another. "But he'll be all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect present strange and interesting features that it is no easy "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Nothing?" The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and "Never." "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his there has been an enclosure here!" from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am in my life." Holmes' face clouded over. that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and "None." events than those which have happened in my own family." "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a manager. guilty one." among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have "'Certainly not.' wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' with frightened eyes at his accuser. me." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of to-morrow," it said. "Do come! I am at my wit's end. HUNTER." sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, three of the beryls in it, was missing. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months the spot where he recovered his senses might have remained These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally matters immensely." note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch will be renamed. "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. "When did it break out?" "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to my stepfather, and I met him hastening from his room in his midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "And who is her maid?" affection." Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in "Lord Robert St. Simon," announced our page-boy, throwing open the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him the matter?" "Breckinridge is his name." introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "What have you to say now?" dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "Which surely he restored to their owner?" "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have new acquaintance to Baker Street. "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had do.' "I guessed as much." "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself