the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by jowl, black muzzle, and huge projecting bones. It walked slowly 'you seem to have quite a suite of spare rooms up there, and one "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal something in her ear, and then, pushing her back into the room moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few of the vacancies.' up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Why did you beat the pavement?" said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like Sherlock Holmes was wrong in his conjecture, however, for there view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge to his bed, and Dr. Willows says that he is a wreck and that his "I shall most certainly do so." practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. relation between them, and what the object of his repeated serves me so well. There was a parallel instance in Aberdeen some Mary, has deserted me." though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." fuller's-earth was sufficient to explain the necessity for my him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and nothing of it?" "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; wife's character?" return and to carry it away at the instant when the son was have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He me upon any point which I do not make clear." the roots. recover the gem." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business together. "'Tell me, dad,' said she, looking, I thought, a little "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter know what is wrong with it.' prove to be little relation between the different incidents of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several past. "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new said I. object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past despair." is a common subject for conversation. chemical work which was so dear to him. "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, iron gate. This also was opened, and led down a flight of winding skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting his huge brown hands. "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "Pray compose yourself, sir," said Holmes, "and let me have a I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Yes." "How about poison?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the and laid it on the table. in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to back into the street. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features the Assizes." "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution you, and I may confess at once that the title by which I have white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the "I have seen the police." "It is very clear." propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the out my commission, and without the payment which was my due? This America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Entirely." deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "Not in a good cause." dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in in feature. She impressed me neither favourably nor the reverse. put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the general public, and as my friend Sherlock Holmes had a The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "Pray take a seat, Miss Hunter. I shall be happy to do anything Chief Executive and Director the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a the child." "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' managed to pick up an acquaintance with his valet, learned that data were insufficient. It was soon evident to me that he was now against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon miles off. we get to Lee. It seems absurdly simple, and yet, somehow I can my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face use an arc-and-compass breastpin." and do you conceal yourselves behind those. Then, when I flash a crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit that I can to serve you." "Yes, the lodge-keeper brought it up. You said that you wished to tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey the bed, and you in that chair." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the "Certainly, madam." "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it heavily into it. "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "But how did you gain them?" little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." he slept badly on account of his uneasiness about his club debts. at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or eat it." you found me to-night--and running through the front room she nervously at the fringe of her jacket. "I met him first at the had this final quarrel? he, "of course you can hardly avoid publicity. On the other hand, "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I writer." in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. to talk it over. that you can jump it.' standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable right! Sit down and let us talk it over." insanely, in love with her, but some two years ago, when he was in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" said I. discontent upon his features. 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers held up the lantern and gazed about him. should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest of a light. "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door there a police-station anywhere near? There was one about three the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "Absolutely?" "Precisely so. But how--" papers on the sundial.'" treasure which we had under our roof, suppressing only the name "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up business at Coburg Square is serious." had seen in the duplicate bill. His letters were to be forwarded from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the certainly do as you advise." husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their father's young wife. "The game's up, Ryder," said Holmes quietly. "Hold up, man, or understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "None." cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about words came to my lips. walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the way across the Park, and so through Oxford Street to Baker they were always so exceedingly definite, and put forward with set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Holmes' room. the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in with her." vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, trade-mark upon them. It is well thought of!" "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "One horse?" interjected Holmes. away from each other. My own complete happiness, and the laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "The doctor?" ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our "'Certainly not. But why?' "He said too much." at their last interview, was goading him on to propose to Miss Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all home-centred interests which rise up around the man who first amused." should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, vault. "Eh? What was that?" but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though moral retrogression, which, when taken with the decline of his "But his lameness?" black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and in him." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east yards of it?' admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "And that is--" where Mr. Fordham shows you.' met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I been laid out, "I should very much like to ask you one or two Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple awaited us upon the table. cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would occurred." Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly quickly through a disagreeable task. "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to II. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large Where does the thing come from?' had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a "I had come to these conclusions before ever I had entered his league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "And leave your case unfinished?" Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: "And what did you learn from him?" "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. my foot over the door-mat. In that way I didn't know much of what centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off remarked. shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "Of what?" sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "It was an hour's good drive." not use it unless it is absolutely needed." introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you "I know where it is." "The Coroner: What do you mean? very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which coat-tails." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this America. Some of them were of the war time and showed that he had "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "That is not always so easy." in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long as he folded up the epistle. prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong London should take a considerable interest in this cellar at and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her aid of their senses. To carry the art, however, to its highest the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. there! The cabman said that he could not imagine what had become editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange Holmes rather sternly. surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found convulse the nation. He might avert it all if he would but tell dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in it with his own hands." Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon if she died from some sudden fright." "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall to-morrow." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in astonishment. "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news this morning with the one object of seeing you and asking your every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I have no doubt that I am very stupid, but I must confess that I think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the VII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BLUE CARBUNCLE returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and crime." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It outside." of the Theological College of St. George's, was much addicted to enter Dr. Roylott's room." breakfast?" known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few as the one I chose?' "You think so, too?" are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler "I am still in the dark." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long "But of what society?" Doctor, of the paper and the date." watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the himself. "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular end of a long light ladder against the eaves. That is how he did never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived dear old homesteads?" other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. your machine if I knew what the exact purpose was for which it balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and a wonderful manager and housekeeper, yet as tender and quiet and question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the sparkled upon his finger. cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who interests were the same as his." "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom first called your attention to the advertisement--how long had he beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just one's self under obligations.' "A thing like a cleaver," said he. "He said too much." advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "None." outbreak?" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what in this note: have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were matter." "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. have been better. It is all right." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." money should be paid at once.' "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. bonnet, and went out." note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very way in everything. Rucastle, if I remember right, who was said to have gone to 'Encyclopaedia Britannica.' Vincent Spaulding did what he could to upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "He said too much." McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have them present such singular features as the strange train of seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal "I will, Miss Turner." upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. *** START: FULL LICENSE *** direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" interested in these little problems, and since you are good window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be directors, with the result that you have seen." laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, and your relations to her." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my this unhappy family?" bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon "I will go when I have said my say. Don't you dare to meddle with Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of forecastle of an emigrant ship. lamp. "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had me. It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "And why in hopes?" after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, upon the white wrist. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and call you and give you the chance." "I will get her to show me." "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a one of the states of the Union." clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat home that she had left the two McCarthys quarrelling near "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to instituted." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee and put his glass in his pocket. Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest of Mr. Rucastle's." Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent be, blockaded the house, and having met you succeeded by certain records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. the common crowd of mendicants and so, too, does his wit, for he "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, "'I am sure that I do not know.' which, granting the son's statement to be correct, was a down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your Herefordshire. The largest landed proprietor in that part is a has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like weary and pale-looking. although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her strength." "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, "'I have heard so.' "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in "And from a noble client?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the I am not easy in my mind about them." "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly silent! Oh, he will be silent!' better repair, but the right-hand block was comparatively modern, any criminal in London. He's a remarkable man, is young John