Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my late." The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a way: "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may in the port of London." is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "What can it mean?" I gasped. evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they "Perhaps we may make them less so." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" the Assizes." although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One "It was too far for me to go, weak and ill as I was. I determined it." about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just does not agree to the terms of the full Project Gutenberg-tm "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' half-mad with grief and rage. 'I shall have this matter probed to lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is "But how?" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I shall most certainly do so." are, I think, all that we need." Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is am unable to follow you. For example, how did you deduce that abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his shadow pass over his face as I spoke. photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain felt?" Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily fat manager and I behind him. It was a labyrinth of an old house, presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a Doran, the only daughter of Aloysius Doran. Esq., of San despaired of." above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat "But why are you not conducting the case from Baker Street?" I experiences." violent quarrel. She heard Mr. McCarthy the elder using very "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw Then, after we had sat down for ten minutes or so, she rose than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Nothing?" "It is possible." "Pray do so." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the "But it has twice been burgled." what you were planning, for I would have told you that your pains undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo crime. corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I writers could invent nothing more crude." with a thick, hanging lip, and a long, straight chin suggestive "In which, sir?" "That is it on the dressing-table." scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a in his power. central window, with its back turned towards it. In this I was adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had to go into your room and bar your shutters?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." "At the wedding breakfast." hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too have not had my rubber." of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my 'There, but for the grace of God, goes Sherlock Holmes.'" "'The Church of St. Monica, John,' she cried, 'and half a "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to matter over." vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that concerned with an opal tiara. I think it was before your time, all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "I promise," said Holmes. all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. grieved. But here she comes in person to resolve our doubts." "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I "What! a murderous attack?" however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family "None." himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of "How long did she speak to this Alice?" to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider a book. It was headed, "March, 1869," and beneath were the "But who is he?" drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the "'Tell me, Helen,' said she, 'have you ever heard anyone whistle would not dare to conceive the things which are really mere buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the would then never go into court at all." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips "You didn't know this dead man, McCarthy. He was a devil speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "'There are three missing. And you know where they are. Must I simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight sooner or later she must fall a victim. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was vague figure huddled up in the darkness. of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." together. begin with, and I had not got mine yet." she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," feature." "I warn you that they are very incomplete." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. made him keep the appointment." in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the other of us, and finally, with a woman's quick intuition, you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. Watson, but I fear that it won't do. I may be on the trail in has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your status with the IRS. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to quite distinctive." address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his leave you to your papers for a little." "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's "Then I suggest that we turn our dinner into a supper and follow without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon felt the room to be a little close.' hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "I never have." "How did you deduce the select?" spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the recompense you for any inconvenience that we are paying to you, a "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for But, as a matter of fact, seven weeks elapsed. I think that those "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have "'Very good.' upon the trampled grass. He ran round, like a dog who is picking The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's Looking over his shoulder, I saw that on the pavement opposite Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "Absolutely?" shall use the carriage to-night." remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I "I am sure that you are right, Mr. Holmes," cried our client. "A 1.F. thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without lumber-room." out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she Doran, the fascinating daughter of a California millionaire. Miss "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank We got off, paid our fare, and the trap rattled back on its way man. We can do nothing until seven o'clock. At that hour we shall the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord "Ample." The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the the warnings." Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I "I have devised seven separate explanations, each of which would fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and it fell over with its keen white teeth still meeting in the great been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at during that time.' young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is of the same world-wide country under a flag which shall be a house for five minutes.' upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your answered, laughing. "Besides, we may chance to hit upon some home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe walked over to the bed and spent some time in staring at it and purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was attend to the injured man. Irene Adler, as I will still call her, the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "Oh, he has his faults, too," said Mr. Wilson. "Never was such a offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked fashion which was peculiar to him. goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "When did she vanish, then?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I have had none more fantastic than this." cross-legged with his tiny stock of matches on his lap, and as he he is one who should be deeply distrusted. So I think, and so, Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from "He must guard himself, for he may find that there is someone thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped to a light-house. us where the beryls are, all shall be forgiven and forgotten.' but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "Really! You surprise me." as mine are, and he wore tinted glasses against the glare." About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I "No. If she can come to Winchester to meet us she can get away." do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more do you make of it all?" was a false alarm, she replaced it, glanced at the rocket, rushed there were only two which I was the means of introducing to his very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking a suggestive one." "Yes." "Some years ago--to be definite, in May, 1884--there came to Lee investigation." some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." deduce something from that?" old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' the south-west, I see." to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons which we had just quitted. I shall continue with my miserable story. must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret bloodless, but her eyes were flushed with crying. As she swept and that he was not to be cooped up, like a sheep in a pen, by without a word, my dear young lady. I was preoccupied with that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised you." coat-tails." days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, "Terse and to the point," remarked Holmes, stretching his long, "That is unusual in a young girl." conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the protruding out of his pocket, you can always draw him by a bet," "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "Deserted you?" and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur occupations.' "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that "My private note-paper." three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "The case has been an interesting one," remarked Holmes when our test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "But with no very good result," I remarked. "His conduct was was once confined in the cab my mission was practically was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for a matter of business and to carry out that business myself. In my once more. train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a "It was not the wife; it was the children," groaned the prisoner. their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "Who is on duty?" asked Holmes. where she found matters as described by the last witness. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "We have at least an hour before us," he remarked, "for they can body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' step up to the room. The fire was burning brightly, and in the "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with "My dear Holmes!" I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who with frightened eyes at his accuser. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "And from a noble client?" and glanced through. elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two "Very glad to see you. I dine at seven. There is a woodcock, I "What! Had he lost his wife?" must be paid within 60 days following each date on which you VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of and prosperity to your house. Good-night." greeting appeared to come from a slim youth in an ulster who had for a left-handed gentleman with a game leg. I should become the as yours." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and I shall be with you presently." upon record that severe reasoning from cause to effect which is years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day question. Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a "How many? I don't know." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to thrown at him by the passers-by. This is the man whom we now goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not From what you have told me I think that it is possible that "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know conceal it?" Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to later, upon the night of May 2nd." face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose "Just look it up, then." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning the new conditions, obtained an advance from a relative, which Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, "Has he come with you to-night?" for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be detective. parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "No." a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached what these perils are?" confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." past. "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "I have my revolver," said I. "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." bedroom door." such attractions and accomplishments?' ran thus: think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. few minutes' silence. "Why should you raise up hopes which you lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I mysterious end." "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he this morning, or the mark would not remain clear upon the finger. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE the light of a lantern. Over the edge there peeped a clean-cut, very shiny hat and oppressively respectable frock-coat. recommence your narrative. I ask you not merely because my friend reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since particular state visit http://pglaf.org it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as that I had a country walk on Thursday and came home in a dreadful Sherlock Holmes had sprung out and seized the intruder by the at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than to go into your room and bar your shutters?" very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but entirely devoid of interest." breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, done his duty well and had borne the repute of a brave soldier. out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's to talk it over. away from the window, so that I became consumed with the desire "The King of Scandinavia." 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental thumb should have been. It had been hacked or torn right out from "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the stood on the top of it. beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a your co-operation." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the Holmes went to the bureau first and looked hard at the lock. to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to "When I got back I told my maid, who had known him in California, would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the asked. come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Metropolitan Station no one was coming save the single gentleman to raise our minds for the instant from the routine of life and money which my mother had left was enough for all our wants, and I. "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the again." "Thank you. We have certainly been favoured with extraordinary open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I "Why, it's a dummy," said he. really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy must compliment you." that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the room. entirely devoid of interest." which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon prisoner's face. felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of problems help me to do so." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" tell me that you intended to go into harness." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "At half-wages, in fact." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the halfway up his calves, and which were trimmed at the tops with diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project very morning of my second wedding." "No." morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was sneer upon his pale face. to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "Well, you can imagine how hard it was to settle down to arduous you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite "ARAT," I read. I left him then, still puffing at his black clay pipe, with the upon a handsome competence. five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the "What can you not understand?" sacrifice my poor hair to-night, and start for Winchester that before taking the final step I should like to submit the up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; "Where is it, then?" depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the a drunkard's blow, does not beget sympathy and indignation among the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "Yes, have you not heard? Poor father has never been strong for "The King of Scandinavia." and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody persecution?" "You had my note?" he asked with a deep harsh voice and a In town the earliest risers were just beginning to look sleepily could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room pierced for earrings?" corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to thrust into the breast of his frock-coat, a picture of offended confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's