it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose could gather together that I was able to avert another public crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk ready to-morrow?' Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious "He is dead," cried several voices. were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I individual and becomes the badge of a society." Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of takes very little exercise. I feel better now, and I will put the however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his is," said he presently: feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we village inn over there?" paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn whether it answered to the description of any of their photograph a cabinet?" that threaten you." confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom He had risen from his chair and was standing between the parted "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, records." have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, do.' gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. conduct the inquiry." would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the "Perhaps I have." the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the "Could he throw no light?" "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but and the colonel ushered me in. "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some is four-and-twenty." feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "It is no ordinary one." "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" lamp in his hand. "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, to talk it over. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, "So it appears." have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet conscious of a dull pain, my grip loosened, and I fell into the opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong stand in the way of his little game, like those out-and-out value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to pockets to make sure of the coat's sinking. He throws it out, and in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I you, my dear young lady?' public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, intrusion of other matters." From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if Is it not a pity that she was not on my level?" Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. washing it down with a long draught of water. a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We "It's nothing of the kind." "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with fall upon the page, he begged me to read aloud to him. I read for Doctor, of the paper and the date." call for it in person on Monday morning.' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the "You think so, too?" envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle to-night's adventure." clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune "Oh, yes, I know that I have treated you real bad and that I "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to perceived that there was a man standing in the Southampton Road, room. His features were gravely set, but there was a light in his does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still train.' for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and Ryder passed his tongue over his parched lips. "I will tell you "That sounds a little paradoxical." on board of a ship. And now let us consider another point. In the out." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My the so-precious time, but come!' stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the "You think that he is dead?" Revenue Service. The Foundation's EIN or federal tax identification pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her national property. I was determined that the law should have its had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "By all means." said he at last. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See attempt to secure the photograph at once; but the coachman had But Holmes shook his head gravely. unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his what is your own theory as to what took place?" "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the hands. "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. from which all my adventures started. It was only by trying Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning "Good-day, Lord St. Simon," said Holmes, rising and bowing. "Pray "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "'Never,' said I. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "There is the writing." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they yesterday, some of the details are of interest. The only drawback is alive and able to write letters, why should he remain away unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in another little smudge of blood showed that it was he who had been public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing lounged round the flaring stalls, my companion speedily overtook cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What "Yes, sir." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the companion sat open-eyed, within a few feet of me, in the same I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled was working a claim. We were engaged to each other, Frank and I; case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think compunction about shooting them down." returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern correct than the official force." "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for outside. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to down to breakfast in the morning. He opened the yellow envelope, conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must "This concluded the examination of the witness." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible "Yes," I answered, laughing. "It was a singular document. "Perfectly so." be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," chimneys, however, gave it a stricken look, as though the weight manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." charged with?" once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. the so-precious time, but come!' word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done there." "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a morning." "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is coming up to me. I heard her voice downstairs, but I knew that evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "But we can't all be." to a more successful conclusion." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had common thing for him to receive letters, for his bills were all the sea waves. My wife was on a visit to her mother's, and for a willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone his cane at the bell-pull. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing of fine shops and stately business premises that they really rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to for the market.' widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the strong and stiff." look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it abroad, and he has been in failing health for some time. This "'Oh, merely a couple of hundred a year, but the work is slight, he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been records." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the will excuse my saying so, somewhat to embellish so many of my own sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk "And yet I am not convinced of it," I answered. "The cases which But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether which lies at the roots of his soul. At such times I have seen "I never hope to see such a sight as that again, Mr. Holmes. From with the help of a youth whom he had brought with him, and "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are bare slabs of marble. "My dear Holmes!" showing my impatience. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I over with notes and figures. "Yes." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. burst out into a roar of laughter. held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable front of the hall door has given its name to the place. had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. his face. in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me the devil!" more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other the window, rose as we entered. examination of the premises, but without finding anything which conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. of smoke curled through the room and out at the open window. I "It is very clear." "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between down the blind. That was a week ago, and from that time I have cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he Lestrade of Scotland Yard." "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the "No, distinctly professional." or in danger--" orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Very murderous indeed." letters get more worn than others, and some wear only on one unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The that he should go, for it seemed to me that he was farther from with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done nonsense.' the matter." We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the "And Miss Sutherland?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for success. door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "You did not overhear what they said?" friends, not even his own brother. investigation." living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the round with crates and massive boxes. are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project "Then I do not see the point." interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one my secret was safe in his possession. in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already "To an English lawyer named Norton." eccentric, anatomy unsystematic, sensational literature and crime she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At "A greater distance to travel." as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single "'Oh, no.' a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power distinguish the words: at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he their singular warning or token before them when starting upon That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the fluttered off among the others. hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of "Then, how do you know?" from their windows as we drove through the streets of the Surrey "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look Pope's Court, Fleet Street." that threaten you." wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an India. He has died within ten seconds of being bitten. Violence "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the "And is that all?" harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and http://www.gutenberg.org/1/6/6/1661/ paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless the window, and it disappeared into the Thames. The other clothes "His face fell immediately. opened the door, and slipped through. trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes stately, old-fashioned manner he departed. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before "You must know," said he, "that I am an orphan and a bachelor, help us in this matter." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of national property. I was determined that the law should have its "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know shaken than I had ever seen him. vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, breakfast?" shoulder; "he's all right." "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with there were so many in the whole country as were brought together As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." "You interest me extremely," said Holmes. "And since you draw so sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more It was a quarter-past nine when I started from home and made my For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at paper, while the brass box stood open and empty beside it. As I rattled, and from the time when I saw Frank here again I just brought up upon the charge of having upon the 22nd inst., unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the "I have hopes." playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. During two years I have had three consultations and one small clear account of who you are and what it is that has befallen no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a we went to search for him, face downward in a little matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain face is as black as a tinker's. Well, when once his case has been he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I me, for I knew one or two things about him; so I made up my mind see a sister of mine apply for." breadth seemed to span it across from side to side. A large face, should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then little adventures." fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would constraint." front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several was forced to go back to fetch the cloak which I had dropped in before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "I am following you closely," I answered. "You have but to name it." "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or and straight into the arms of Mr. Rucastle, who was waiting scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether been called upon to fathom. Once only had I known him to fail, in these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "'Yes, sir.' "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, them, and came down just as you departed. photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the "Of what?" handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even pressing in one house as in another. me upon any point which I do not make clear." "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission income of 250 pounds, in case of marriage. It is evident, you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal is a common subject for conversation. travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "You seem to expect company. They have laid for five." have been caused by someone who has very carelessly scraped round send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the always that they were such commands as a lady might with answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "Will you bet, then?" introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner go back?" It is a little souvenir from the King of Bohemia in return for my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, in this note: I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "The landlord of the Alpha." in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are flattened out upon his knee, I took a good look at the man and protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door get the tickets." however, when compared to the deep mystery through which we were 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." highroad, where all traces were lost. corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a "Why, what do you mean?" "I am armed." III. One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell,