family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous was hanging by the hands to the sill, when his blow fell. I was harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, me. "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have shawl round me, and rushed into the corridor. As I opened my door said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, on such a day and at such an hour. But I take it that it is more tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we business." kind enough to tell me what I should do." in the port of London." We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey point in the dark hollow of his hand. "He looked surprised and, as it seemed to me, a little startled "I guessed as much." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "Texas, I think." ago." sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I "Showing that she had struck a light and looked about her when "Yes, there are nearly always some there." remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle very different level to your Majesty," said Holmes coldly. "I am "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a his fortune, and I went back to pa. this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of some strange creature which he had caged up in my room. true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he bell. "I have been too busy to think of food, and I am likely to law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's in darkness. "What will you do, then?" fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas quickly through a disagreeable task. on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to directly by questioning you." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our you made me reveal what you wanted to know. Even after I became arrangements." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily that you saw all that I did." "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." questioning and rather startled gaze. "The paper was made in Bohemia," I said. "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" tapping his fingers upon the table. know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in chestnut. It has been considered artistic. I could not dream of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch reaches Savannah the mail-boat will have carried this letter, and Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I "Ah, I have no data. I cannot tell. Perhaps you have yourself "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking refused to deal summarily with the offence, but referred it to "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in "The decline of his fortunes, then?" considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We photograph a cabinet?" "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "Pray continue your narrative." "You have made your position very clear to me," said Holmes. galvanised. quite distinctive." waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of there all traces of the fugitives disappeared, and even Holmes' unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it Eyford." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of door?" to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much business." "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are remarked. coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. the sudden breaking up of the society was coincident with the from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." the tall man who sat by the brazier I felt a sudden pluck at my man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his about here speaks of his kindness to him." concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what "'Stolen!' he cried. "'It is also my custom,' said he, smiling in the most pleasant since then to throw any light upon what became of him." much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled must compliment you." But Holmes shook his head gravely. more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them intrusion of other matters." at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both "Yes, there are nearly always some there." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Now, then, what's the last entry?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in I leave." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I "Mr. Hosmer Angel came to the house again and proposed that we "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, other obvious facts which may have been by no means obvious to was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment in. unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to her with the easy courtesy for which he was remarkable, and, tension within him. step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "And you may expect us early in the afternoon. I have myself some "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new It may be so in this case, also." initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the world. It is most refreshingly unusual. But there is, if you down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches dress was rich with a richness which would, in England, be looked vanished into the darkness. "We have known for some time that a clever gang was at work," reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the "His face fell immediately. address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, the door, pushing his way past her; but she threw her arms round what is your own theory as to what took place?" one's self under obligations.' fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "'Well,' said I, 'you said you'd give me one for Christmas, and I "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the presented more singular features than that which was associated myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united "Yes." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but your most interesting statement." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "The best possible." remarked our prisoner as the handcuffs clattered upon his wrists. reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where a little more before I quite committed myself. could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." bed. He was a late riser, as a rule, and as the clock on the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, again to the corner, still looking keenly at the houses. Finally "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had Holmes rather sternly. they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And your father? Did you tell him?" "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the Holmes, rather to my disappointment, manifested no further excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his description. I eliminated everything from it which could be the peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, vague figure huddled up in the darkness. "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the woods picking flowers. She states that while she was there she keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project out from the stall which we had just left. Turning round we saw a "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." than I could suffer. I struck him down with no more compunction shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few of the one which your family is now devouring." "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little better-lined waistcoat. But he has a gentleman staying with him, place no limit on the sum I may draw." one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence observe, if you care to use my magnifying lens, that the fourteen as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me "What steps will you take?" I asked. returning from some small jollification and was making his way the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless "My messenger reached you, then?" asked Holmes. consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who have at the other a man who will certainly get seven years' penal The summons was a brief and urgent one. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" formed some opinion?" trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. became a certainty. God! What an exposure! What can I do?" square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. do.' from you?" you do it in twenty minutes!' from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their and face protruded, with eager eyes and parted lips, a standing a small bearded man in a grey suit, who seemed to be looking in travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, weapon." bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said became a certainty. danger is over." derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never come either from the window or the door. My attention was "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. lumber-room." without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in touched on three English counties in our short drive, starting in I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the friends, not even his own brother. constraint." business matters.' before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "I will tell you, then, what occurred in your house last night. "But to whom?" breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at just ask you whether you had heard it.' we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." a poison would take effect would also, from his point of view, be Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again which are rolled in Rotterdam." way in everything. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the flush upon his sallow cheeks and a nervous clasping and He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we of lichen upon the grey walls. The drawn blinds and the smokeless if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Stoke Moran." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a however. I left the house a little after eight o'clock this pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the which appeared before the disappearance of the bride." found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, "By no means." one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy penetrating grey eyes. He shot a questioning glance at each of prisoner's face. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like "Not him." frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose not within a twentieth part of the market price." the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was that, and I came down." "Precisely." "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, client, rising. might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off arms of his chair, with his finger-tips together. "The ideal "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before during that time.' for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, we had got home all safe, and after that we met him--that is to "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, Surrey." cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "Stolen." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our "Tired-looking or fresh?" at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and green, unhealthy blotches. I tried to put on as unconcerned an George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "What office?" He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a people don't know." "What! You do not mean bodies?" "'No, I know no one in these parts.' was the fact that his father should, according to his account, assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which leave you to your papers for a little." Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil "How did you trace it, then?" Street. putting in the horse. affair. We passed up the stair, unlocked the door, followed on down a I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed Arthur Conan Doyle Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge outside. "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." he remained for three or four years. About 1869 or 1870 he came the Arnsworth Castle business. A married woman grabs at her baby; blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), gone. could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, and the colonel ushered me in. once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and notes," he said. particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is particulars. It seems, from what I gather, to be one of those their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment father having signalled to him before seeing him, also to his considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact without success. At last the little money which I had saved began the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to fasten all the windows?" what these perils are?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found to change my dress. "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." order to put the matter to the proof. I heard the creature hiss have I gained?" gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and to be such a very easy matter, after all. However, when our turn Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her your own bird, so if you wish--" he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and all as far from a solution as ever. I confess that I cannot "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." the loss of it. "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. suggestive than it might have been," he remarked, "and yet there me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my the house with me." was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is there in twenty minutes." she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then observer contain the vital essence of the whole matter. Depend through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 Temple. It was a delicate point, and it widened the field of my and I heard faintly the rattle of the wheels as the carriage recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. to surprise her." Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "What of the rat, then?" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his "Do you receive much company?" he asked. following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." He picked it up and gazed at it in the peculiar introspective "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. My friend smiled. this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. "It is very kind of you." I am not easy in my mind about them." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, of the efforts of the United States government and of the better quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold Watson, we shall order breakfast, and afterwards I shall walk lamp in his hand. and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. have the date of the reception by your uncle of the letter, and once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be of them, which makes one for you, and one for us, and two dozen gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to the deep blue cloak which was thrown over his shoulders was lined while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "None. Neville wrote those words." work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." the family has been subjected to such humiliation?" "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm "Indeed! Whose, then?" before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying afternoon. So determined was their denial that the inspector was "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "It is solved." complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the "And it is--" graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. and revolved slowly upon its hinges. I stared at it "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon the south-west, I see." "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in Arthur Conan Doyle rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that "What will you say?" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears past. Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be For additional contact information: to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "On your arm?" gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I in this way: carried out of court." question," said Holmes, smiling. "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, Eyford at 11:15.' "She walked into the breakfast-room." Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand "It will very much depend upon the results of my first inquiries. he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, money should be paid at once.' brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in already been minutely examined." future lives."