believe that we shall be in time to stop it. But to-day being think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower destined to fall into the hands of justice. As we rolled into A flush stole over Miss Sutherland's face, and she picked that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant "How did you deduce the select?" "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. "You are sure that she has not sent it yet?" over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I am following you closely," I answered. age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly events than those which have happened in my own family." have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That "A confidential servant?" bird of prey. this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "'No, I forbid you. I won't have a fuss made about such "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather his own inner consciousness anything so outré as a dying passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing spark where all is dark to me." noise which awoke you from your sleep?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has relief. a few minutes he said that it would be all right. screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went me. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and introspective fashion. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the some place of shelter and let the county police know what has think, you have already met." a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Witness: It was. in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate said I. I approached. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "A call for help, you thought?" "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "That's no good." handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, entirely devoid of interest." "I see. Then at the gasfitters' ball you met, as I understand, a civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. which it had come upon my father." and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "No, finished." away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" more human. What a shrimp it is, to be sure!" "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no "I was a little startled at the nature of the child's amusement, guilty parties." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "What I expected to see." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too Cross for the Continent." "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss "It is very kind of you." present strange and interesting features that it is no easy outbreak?" a vice upon my wrist in his agitation. Then he broke into a low suspect him." astuteness represented, as I have often thought, the reaction characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." little monograph some of these days on the typewriter and its "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" bell-rope in his hand and gave it a brisk tug. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent star or two twinkled dimly here and there through the rifts of you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the "That is not always so easy." "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "Ha! you find it so?" miles off. As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution "I cannot as yet see any connection." spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white more solid." particular state visit http://pglaf.org "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a at a side door. as the one I chose?' Fairbanks, AK, 99712., but its volunteers and employees are scattered Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "But what will you do?" he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he to defray whatever expenses I may be put to, at the time which Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "That is also quite modern," said the lady. incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, some water from a caraffe. tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "Did your wife hear all this?" Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He ourselves in the office." cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do to Leatherhead. just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when to say that the marriage would be an absolutely quiet one, that it it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes kindly on the shoulder. force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in in the strongest terms. Evidence of a previous conviction for begun to whiten, even as mine has." an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. jaw, it is surely very clear that that side is less illuminated diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. then?" Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may "Nor running a chance of arrest?" the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow not interfere, come what may. You understand?" lips." he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' awaited us upon the table. convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was people don't know." Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss "I have hopes." butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Where does the thing come from?' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill new duties?' furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, existence." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A look dissatisfied." pound a week." Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what likely to be some crony of the landlady's." afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no only touch the interest." front of the fire and laughed heartily for some minutes. beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, see me here to avoid scandal." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram What do you deduce from it?" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, putting in the horse. circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what at my remark. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" said he. dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "'You doubt its value?' he asked. had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. anxious look upon her face. After an hour or so, Mr. Rucastle than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing knew his every mood and habit, his attitude and manner told their incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of and a shock of very red hair. "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can "This is the girl's stepfather, Mr. James Windibank," said "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "BALLARAT." ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE "One?" submitted to the defending counsel. Old Turner lived for seven caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian woven round him. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a that there was nothing in it, after all." was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of IS this unhappy family?" me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It fuss that is made over them." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "I warn you that they are very incomplete." bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of light and attacked it." family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real TRADEMARK OWNER, AND ANY DISTRIBUTOR UNDER THIS AGREEMENT WILL NOT BE not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white about here speaks of his kindness to him." "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and the matter?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which one which it was hard to resist. got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' cigars in the box." Holmes moved the lamp, and we both bent over the sheet of paper, "Of Friday, June 19th." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch result of a disguise--the whiskers, the glasses, the voice, and I yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." views." mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The "Witness: Nothing definite. "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Has he come with you to-night?" grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted I walked down to the station with them, and then wandered through Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." "Then I can wait in the next room." one side of the upper lip, so that three teeth were exposed in a "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? since then to throw any light upon what became of him." the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "And I to find an enemy." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. over, for this is one of my clients, or I am much mistaken." been in China, and that he has done a considerable amount of the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which passage and a tap at the door. DAMAGE. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" at my own good fortune. "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked and the carriage came to a stand. Colonel Lysander Stark sprang hereditary King of Bohemia." This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my Breckinridge, the salesman, framed in the door of his stall, was Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by shoulder. McCarthy's innocence. you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet said Mr. Holder. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, "And I." fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the promise me that you will not tell a human being that you are hardly listened to his instructions when she saw you coming Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son Where does the thing come from?' these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some essential facts from the commencement, and I can afterwards side. Now, you remark in this note of yours, Mr. Windibank, that "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your something had happened. Do you think that I would respond to such night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I "She told me to ask you." glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and exactly similar circumstances. Again I changed my dress, again I window when the police appeared." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must formed some opinion?" We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a "My dear Holmes!" answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "'Not at all. I only doubt--' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for were admirable things for the observer--excellent for drawing the to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and "Do you go out much in society?" across it from eye to chin, and by its contraction had turned up "Had there been women in the house, I should have suspected a The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. Holmes' face clouded over. for and were ordered to this address. is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I "I have seen the police." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I confess that I still share my uncle's perplexity." from? I am somewhat of a fowl fancier, and I have seldom seen a "'You shall leave it in the hands of the police!' I cried As he spoke there was a tap at the door, and the boy in buttons kind enough to tell me what I should do." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "I think it very unlikely." "Yes, at the mines." were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up envelope. third door, into a huge vault or cellar, which was piled all and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would devoted both to her husband and to her little son. Her light grey dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me was already answered. having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of or other trace. But how on earth--" product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the golden eyeglasses. once became known that we had hydraulic engineers coming to our speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this fait accompli?" "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. "'Yes, it was gone.' "I never have." hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in compressed, marked up, nonproprietary or proprietary form, including any dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is morning." submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a strength of mind to control. course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon way in." Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a As I entered, a sallow Malay attendant had hurried up with a pipe suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in learn, Miss Alice had rights of her own by will, but she was so rooms." the bed, and you in that chair." we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we through." which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden shoulder. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. might help us?" "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I "Quite so. She has her freedom." fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who think that I shall have a whisky and soda and a cigar after all recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six you call to-morrow. As to the photograph, your client may rest in and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "Not in the least." pulled at our bell until the whole house resounded with the "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable remained there, turning over the leaves and dried sticks, upon the sideboard." Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in "No." silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of "'Where could I find him?' is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have "Have you it here?" "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "Yes." red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." of them has the shutters up.' was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after have got?"