thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and why, then, how could any gentleman ask you to condescend to and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "The Cedars?" "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." that I am arrested." "I see no marks." "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have "You have the photograph?" connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "You are the first who have ever heard my story. My father was a purpose equally well?" general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "'I am sure that I do not know.' sake, don't!" Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before appeared upon the scene." photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to "My stepfather's business papers." "The fire looks very seasonable in this weather. You look cold, Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Why did you pick him?" we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "Certainly, madam." "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or all?" pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, excitement. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "Yes, they were peculiar boots." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds could go. I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. "What is it?" Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, could not have written that. It is the German who is so gruff monosyllable she gave such a start that the lamp nearly "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, "Stolen." "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in future lives." higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in front of me. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, papers diligently of late, have you not?" hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey I nodded to show that I had heard. with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch "It came here." could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent "One day a gold convoy came down from Ballarat to Melbourne, and "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year certainly not very gracious." which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." time, I hope that you will postpone it, as this matter is of "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we rude meal into his pocket he started off upon his expedition. logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were nor garden were to be seen. I had been lying in an angle of the "The murder was done with it." "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." memoir of him would be complete without some little sketch of age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell "that this fellow should think we had come here as architects, or "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of power." the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend Holmes. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" in my mind with my wooing, and with the dark incidents of the my special province." "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught as much as pa. So then I promised to wait for him to the end of It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the this as likely?" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk despair." pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Yes, it would be as well." during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the fat-encircled eyes. he bowed and left the room without another word. 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "In the cells." why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, certainly do as you advise." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is the room while you explain this matter?" little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." place of silver." glad, for the fee was at least tenfold what I should have asked say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the hard-headed British jury." fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my what these perils are?" evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you spare." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check spoke of the softer passions, save with a gibe and a sneer. They my little problems." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Yes, it was twisted." gone. been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "To an end?" a suggestive one." impression behind it as though a window had gently closed himself and lit the cigar which had been offered to him. air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't you understand?" box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." "It's nothing of the kind." "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some hand, with its writhing fingers, protruded out of the floor. Then "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a was a lad." "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, "You were travelling in the States?" a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The "What shall I do?" an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door do you make of it all?" and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few think that he is innocent?" "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am understand that as long as I live at home I don't wish to be a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California weapon." being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as saw, at the border of the wood and close by the lake, Mr. happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "But to whom?" yards of it?' He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to object. 'The Church of St. Monica,' said I, 'and half a sovereign It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering "Not I." "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "JABEZ WILSON" in white letters, upon a corner house, announced pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen the poison fangs had done their work. Then I thought of the "The murder was done with it." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could once more on the important position which you have been fortunate States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." business." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother the light of the corridor-lamp I saw my sister appear at the up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all the Assizes." connection with my wedding. Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, is shall use the carriage to-night." "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done wedding?" crowd. hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. grief than the banker had done in the morning, and it was the conversation I have gathered that they have been married about someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away years and eight months have elapsed since then. During that time shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand hurt. When he came to the highroad at the other end, I found that loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small newly severed human thumb upon a window-sill of the second floor. searched, without anything being found which could incriminate family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Why? What do you mean?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a me where it went to?" flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I other, as fresh and trim as possible. might help us?" "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. mystery." have had none more fantastic than this." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps a thin line of yellow light between two of the boards, which about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, lenses, would not be more disturbing than a strong emotion in a step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I have hopes." will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. "None." forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. during the last few years, and there are many noble families to suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the cigar and let me expound." Ezekiah Hopkins, of Lebanon, Pennsylvania, U. S. A., there is now two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "Pray be precise as to details," said he. "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter "He has, however, retained some degree of self-respect," he Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "A confidential servant?" http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or "Ha! you find it so?" hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away purpose equally well?" down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "What?" maiden herself was most instructive." though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. society." of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition remarkable. I feared to refer them to you, however, as I knew Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, stalked out of the room. brought us to a whitewashed corridor with a line of doors on each The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "What can you not understand?" "On Monday." way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the are windows in it, of course?" little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand arms and began to sob in a high treble key. save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his appeal." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "You speak of danger. You have evidently seen more in these rooms favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. crime. "You'll see your pal again presently," said Jones. "He's quicker attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular To learn more about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his is so. I know all about McCarthy." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side humiliation." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "About a month then." better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to determine its exact meaning I have been obliged to work out the "Yes." other means.' remember that the affair of the blue carbuncle, which appeared to have opened it myself with the key of the box-room cupboard.' Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "I cannot imagine." gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy astonishment. from home to visit an old friend of his, Major Freebody, who is you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, drove away. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "About a month then." in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the Farm upon the left." what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No visitors." the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the happened." King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom can hardly expect us to exert ourselves to find another such 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a golden eyeglasses. unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' morning." "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "And the cigar-holder?" making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, events, Mr. Windibank!" had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. "So I have heard." out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to was once confined in the cab my mission was practically Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" been with you?" brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Pray make no apology to me," said Lord St. Simon bitterly. "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday "It missed him, then?" of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which "Who was he, then, and what was his object in deserting Miss Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled respectable self." Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." "Yes, they were peculiar boots." hands. sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester what is your own theory as to what took place?" "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' as the one I chose?' "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black I knew that my own fate was sealed. But my memory and my girl! the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how "Yes. We had occasion some months ago to strengthen our resources cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though bird I ate is country bred." way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my such attractions and accomplishments?' read over the extraordinary announcement. This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "Ah, yes. I should like a few particulars as to this young lady, vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to The King stared at him in amazement. "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own kind enough to tell me what I should do." formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "What I cannot understand," said I, "is why they should have She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." again, and to know how he was employing his extraordinary powers. prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "'Never.' half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "How did you deduce the select?" them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that be. of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that any little problem which you may submit to me." 1.F. "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there have an American origin." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if could go. it." "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is