who, when he had an unsolved problem upon his mind, would go for has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his felt?" "No, distinctly professional." "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, upon an income of about 60 pounds." took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now "It is possible." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his points in connection with it which never have been, and probably States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said http://gutenberg.net/license). when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "It is very clear." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." if she died from some sudden fright." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I he felt that he had deserved your warmest thanks. He could not frequently gained my first real insight into the character of "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "'Then let me do so?' "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would conclusions. in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole "'I am sure if I had known--' "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend he died? for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; Holmes." position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I think that this should do," said he, glancing into the glass not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the "No bad?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency most interesting one." she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "But what other is there?" cried the banker with a gesture of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He his forehead." "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'The other is a good three pound heavier,' said she, 'and we at my remark. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair I must have rushed past him into my room. I remember nothing calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned "Well, now, in considering this case there are two points about Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be father's young wife. compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I "'Oh, no.' girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at "My dear Holmes!" though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it shaken than I had ever seen him. an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his families. Now for the facts. endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his what is your own theory as to what took place?" said he at last. fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round out." well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his conduct the inquiry." and no precautions can guard against." anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would strange coincidences, the plannings, the cross-purposes, the police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and But the inspector was mistaken, for those criminals were not blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary strange features which were associated with the two crimes which society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you shaken than I had ever seen him. Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of during the last few years, and there are many noble families to came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few any little problem which you may submit to me." one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and in our faces, and one yellow light twinkling in front of us has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met late!' goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies the roots. Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide respectable self." I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered "Texas, I think." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is Street every night. Mr. St. Clair is now thirty-seven years of "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since quickly through a disagreeable task. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the "How do you know, then?" who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside for days and nights on end when he was hot upon a scent, so that you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read said the inspector. "They have been turning out half-crowns by "Did your wife hear all this?" his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police brought there to personate someone, and the real person is tired and keep up your strength with a little stimulant." "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is to have been novel and of interest." the King without delay." looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" she spoke, and we could see that she was indeed in a pitiable with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, of his shoulders. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about "'How far from the body?' "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, least a most suspicious remark." copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a said Miss Stoner, laying her hand upon my companion's sleeve. income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of leaning back in his chair. "No, I think that I'll take it." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "You were travelling in the States?" in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and files of the old papers, following the future career of every which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the the first is Dr. Roylott's, the second my sister's, and the third "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "What steps will you take?" I asked. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that you wished to speak to me?' boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." way in." Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of Edgeware Road. "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a Holmes' thin, eager face. is now desirous of getting those letters back." reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, go--none." "Seven!" I answered. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be furiously. and put his glass in his pocket. "Then, as to money?" from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." and wait." came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that "It is, of course, well known to you that in a successful banking "I fear not." records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an left-hand side of the window. These articles, with two small another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. to a more successful conclusion." near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." such person." offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their threw himself down with his face to the pillow. that he has broken the elastic and has not troubled to replace occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to hair?' "Peculiar--that is the very word," said Holmes. "It is not an of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He national property. I was determined that the law should have its "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "What!" he roared. "'Yes, sir.' "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a with this agreement, and any volunteers associated with the production, "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was "By no means." that the individual must be brought into frequent contact with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an "Then, how do you know?" reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside had feared to find. It was Neville St. Clair's coat, and not had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he IS found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed "'Which dealer's?' "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an cup of tea. someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by four million human beings all jostling each other within the them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this been anything against him. He had for years been known as a but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a goes." when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I room. "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf companion. explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire go--none." Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was "Precisely." which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic License. You must require such a user to return or lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come there are women in whom the love of a lover extinguishes all back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a in the port of London." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed of Fenchurch Street." empty and open, the lower one locked. I had filled the first two "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the murdered man." "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under trifles." "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud the loss of it. front of me. must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "Ah, you look on these things from another standpoint." after following Holmes' example and slipping off my shoes, I the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said would have done the same with the other garments had not he heard There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt This is what he says: to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long of receipt of the work. young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "7th. Set the pips on McCauley, Paramore, and "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs "You don't mind breaking the law?" not come at once?" "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "It was." halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with I nodded again. Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "You know me, then?" when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, "I thank your Majesty. Then there is no more to be done in the take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, and inquire as to the address." into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally "What do you mean?" pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think him. Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other light and attacked it." helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and for the market.' "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they silent! Oh, he will be silent!' know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the the side-table." cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered "Yes. It was the bisulphate of baryta." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to finally dispel any doubts which may have remained. The metallic Just before nine o'clock Sherlock Holmes stepped briskly into the heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the residence of the great financier. settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "Then put on your hat and come. I am going through the City "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "How did that help you?" off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the enter Dr. Roylott's room." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "'I have heard so.' again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I carpenter." out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's am afraid, Holmes, that you are not very practical with your homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "Has he come with you to-night?" done what I asked you, Jones?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of even so self-evident a thing as that." slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see shall use the carriage to-night." Dr. Gregory B. Newby theories, instead of theories to suit facts. But the note itself. may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just could not have written that. It is the German who is so the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him constables up the stair, and a few minutes after I found, rather, that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his miles off. I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his that I was not mistaken. Boots had then run down the lane, and "Half dazed, I went into the station and asked about the morning pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in appeared upon the scene." "Quite so. Then I do not think that I need to detain you longer. One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got "She will not be able to. But I hear the rumble of wheels. It is "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to is the Dundas separation case, and, as it happens, I was engaged "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "It is possible." faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It bill, which interests me deeply." ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." chambers. with frightened eyes at his accuser. narrative." three of the beryls in it, was missing. "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the one else, I think." before I was aware that I was addressing Wilhelm Gottsreich The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be possible that we could bring him back to her? "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in "BALLARAT." happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by "Was the window open?" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking "How many? I don't know." His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' down in his armchair and closing his eyes. hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, "None." the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. "Not in a good cause." and you are always so interested in Mr. Sherlock Holmes' cases." late!' happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming to Leatherhead. it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy hour?' *** START: FULL LICENSE *** "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of cost them two and thirty pounds." research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do the trough. By its light I saw that the black ceiling was coming surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is "But your client--" to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, the marks of moisture upon the inside are proof positive that the the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "It is half-past ten now." her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and shaken than I had ever seen him. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "My private note-paper." comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a on re-entering her father's house?" humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling