believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. skylight. of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, interested on glancing down to observe that, though the boots reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' towards the blaze. shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion ordered fresh rashers and eggs, and joined us in a hearty meal. dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all "It was only yesterday that the chance came. I may tell you that, it? Did I buy the geese off you?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, this truth that in these little records of our cases which you to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Eight weeks passed away like this, and I had written about the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in than to us. way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "Were they all fastened this morning?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's woman." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "I am all attention, madam." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old rose-bushes. satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "'I have heard so.' "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." the driver. in this way: Toller knows more about this matter than anyone else." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "I see no marks." customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "'She came in just now by the back door. I have no doubt that she little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come "But who is he?" "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. down in his armchair and closing his eyes. myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is stood on the top of it. iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding "My dear Holmes!" "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and urgency of this new case, and why I urged young Openshaw to Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further call the police, let the police find what they can.' "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, Watson. He's not got blood enough to go in for felony with make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had "And what did you learn from him?" "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three your room." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "I beg that you will draw your chair up to the fire and favour me At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had showing my impatience. daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." society was formed by some ex-Confederate soldiers in the instantly attracted my attention, since, although it was reported congratulate you again." away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "It missed him, then?" "Nothing." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's think that any burglar could have done. "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." "But you are joking. What can you gather from this old battered "I cannot tell." say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you if only as a check to my own memory." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his written, and locked the door of the office after me. woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout posted to-day." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if it. Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure "Yes." north, south, east, and west every man who had a shade of red in "I have hopes." gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or better grown goose." he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, "'I have already given you my word.' disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing like a rabbit into its hole to develop his pictures. That is his "She will not sell." strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled in one or two places in England?' and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "I will do it." "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the unprecedented a position." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a from our window we could command a view of the avenue gate, and "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "I don't say that. Perhaps." little adventures." we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing be there in time for your coming." "None." of." disturbance in my wife." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from on re-entering her father's house?" Our visitor staggered to his feet and clutched the mantelpiece footfalls from the street. tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a fire. You quite follow me?" a monotonous occupation." surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, unprecedented a position." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, sufficient punishment." what these perils are?" She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old at a side door. the yard, and behind this I drove one of the birds--a fine big head. So long, then!" "Entirely." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in the warnings." "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he so.' Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a there in twenty minutes." shall not find me ungrateful." Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now "None." pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it "'Most admirably.' she might be summoned. his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce outbreak?" would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through to get a few things packed and my ulster ready. I know I ought to people don't know." "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so "And you can do nothing until then?" presented which may be striking and bizarre without being "In which, sir?" discontent upon his features. as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves There is as much sense in Hafiz as in Horace, and as much "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very "No good news?" off the least ray of light, and we waited in absolute darkness. work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' the coronet in his hand?" ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." I took the paper from him and read as follows: retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." recognised me, but as I bent over her she suddenly shrieked out advice." has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. It was in the latter days of September, and the equinoctial gales is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary "By all means." America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, woman who has had her own way to make in the world. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us of the way of danger. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of which it had come upon my father." came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the enough to aid us in our search." "And I." husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and wanted for ourselves." said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is "Very truly yours, Neville St. Clair has entered it never to leave it more. But our pocket, and, drawing out a piece of discoloured, blue-tinted "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. character. breakfast?" "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of instant that she was gone he realised how crushing a misfortune those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "Awake, Watson?" he asked. that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent heavens. The trees and wayside hedges were just throwing out married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the armchair which I pushed forward for him. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "And what did you see?" "Precisely." habits and exchange willingly the charming climate of Florida for "Of what?" your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Well?" for and were ordered to this address. Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look were unconscious?" "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a carried out of court." "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." shag which I had seen upon the previous night. kindly on the shoulder. in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, gained on every subject which comes under the letter A. You have once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. to that open window." other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was may never be exposed to such a temptation." "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, late." determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "I see many objections to any such theory." and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside villagers almost as much as their master. "Was the window open?" horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a cab with my valise, rattling away to Paddington Station. Sherlock "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is "But what harm can there be in that?" Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to touch that coronet?' "I cannot tell." to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from and the whole place is in a blaze." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. suddenly upon us." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, "Quite so. She has her freedom." my room." to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the spare." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to the large one which looked from the hall onto the stable lane. but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his dear old homesteads?" "But he might be a bachelor." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the have had none more fantastic than this." the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "I was afraid that you were engaged." am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how sprang from the bed, struck a match, and lashed furiously with we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." astonishment. He had turned his back so that none could see him "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so "But you would not advise me to refuse?" incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of seemed to be expostulating with them. They were all three and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. is," said he presently: "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a carry the case backward and forward with me, so that it might "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all point our research must commence, and we will begin it by benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, "I will get her to show me." her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Saturday, and I hope that by Monday we may come to a conclusion." became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. "And I say east," said my patient. writing, and yet I know it well." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was fattened it expressly for you.' views." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to "So I heard. You have him here?" were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the I took the paper from him and read as follows: send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my have had none more fantastic than this." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "How on earth--" photograph?" "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Miss Holder?" When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes written explanation to the person you received the work from. If you there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a "'Why, what on earth does this mean, John?' he stammered. and the colonel ushered me in. "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the married her." maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. him, that man would not have given me such complete information shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know "'And the work?' "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into light and attacked it." "You have a clue?" d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" meanly of me." an ending, while others have been but partially cleared up, and profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence I have it here in my museum." to wear it on my watch-chain in memory of the occasion." to Leatherhead. all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up the address that was given us in the advertisement. excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be little adventures." he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "From his hat?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" that the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the Literary Archive Foundation beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable nonsense.' which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. "Nothing." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot be right. Now, Mr. Jabez Wilson here has been good enough to call dressed in,' etc., etc. Ha! That represents the last time that smoking, and the sofa is very much superior to the usual country at once, for I have only half an hour." week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. came in then. It is a hat of the very best quality. Look at the colonel looking down at me. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "I have come for advice." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's While we cannot and do not solicit contributions from states where we during which he might have communicated with his friend the eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and people don't know." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the contents had been destroyed. On the inside of the cover was a air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your "Nothing?" window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and We had the carriage to ourselves save for an immense litter of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "I have solved it." fire. You quite follow me?" "The rest you will leave in our hands." There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. the road. He beckoned to me and then began walking into the Park. a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the provision of this agreement shall not void the remaining provisions. to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "So it appears." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever direction." a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "'Is 4 pounds a week.' my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat