which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon "He looked very hard at me as I spoke, and it seemed to me that I the coachman with his coat only half-buttoned, and his tie under with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to "And I." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow records." "Certainly." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began in the neighbourhood, however, and among them Miss Turner, the he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously he bowed and left the room without another word. seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm furiously. you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. said I. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the pawnbroker's business at Coburg Square, near the City. It's not a suspect him." "It is solved." that woman was the late Irene Adler, of dubious and questionable been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day "Game for a morning drive?" "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of o'clock is it?" "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. approach us with offers to donate. A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To "Why is he silent, then, if he is innocent?" "Yes. He was brought up and remanded for further inquiries." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to matter. He was a lawyer. That sounded ominous. What was the latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained fear." "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is to change my dress. room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared His name is Francis Prosper." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in village inn over there?" you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. pictures, libraries, or plate. Southerton's preserves. A clump of copper beeches immediately in smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have when you have done it." "Yes, sir." same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull chance at all." sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to assist you in forming an opinion." "How can you tell that?" "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" as good as a family to you. There's two of us, me and my son, and How our hydraulic engineer had been conveyed from the garden to "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the points to suicide?" "Where, then?" as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society "No, my brougham is waiting." Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He business came to an end." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself pictures, libraries, or plate. drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. wife's character?" Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been the coroner come to?" *** START: FULL LICENSE *** jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not towards the blaze. fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling acquaintance?" "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he quick march!" gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and future lives." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east over part of the map. "What do you read?" immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can carried out of court." "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain newspaper selections." When I glance over my notes and records of the Sherlock Holmes vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." this remarkable episode. it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back you for a few hours?" "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. neat little 'Hosmer Angel' at the bottom. There is a date, you helping a boy to put up the shutters. unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave gentleman walks into my rooms smelling of iodoform, with a black steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "One?" he was only a few years older than me; but I didn't want to do their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO him and tried to hold him back. seized her and choked her words. I rushed out, calling loudly for "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has "Deserted you?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for lids now and glanced across at his visitor. the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man and distributed to anyone in the United States without paying any fees "Dark enough and sinister enough." my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "Certainly." photograph; but when I looked back to the weird business of the to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but "'One of the most precious public possessions of the empire,' had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after reward you. This ring--" He slipped an emerald snake ring from upon me this morning, and to begin a narrative which promises to "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I of Bohemia, and how the best plans of Mr. Sherlock Holmes were "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." I slept at Baker Street that night, and we were engaged upon our firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon your room." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "The landlord of the Alpha." dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until "It came by the last post," said he. "Read it aloud." "My photograph." key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "Ah! yes, I see. But you see, sir, them's not our geese." "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I my two visitors vanished away, like the genii of the Arabian the devil!" young and unknown man, a fee which would buy an opinion from the dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." again before evening." "Not yet." massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the from the brougham. there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears "'A dozen yards or so.' was a perfect sample of the class. unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was and the colonel ushered me in. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in already referred to. vengeance upon me. There is a trap-door at the back of that public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single straightened it out again. unprofitable." to you." 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The said I. "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously direct line to the station. The bridge, no doubt, was too chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood about. be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my "It is possible." education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and servant-maids--joined in a general shriek of "Fire!" Thick clouds "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, careless servant girl?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who do.' He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in in Sherlock Holmes' insight that I could not lose hope as long time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he brought there to personate someone, and the real person is be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face hair?' http://www.gutenberg.net loudly expressed admiration of her mother. Then Mr. Angel began the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while making his professional acquaintance, and I have been surprised From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making giving me time to thank him. locked. "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this companion. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "None." "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It business in the City. She little knew what. "You have but to name it." black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "But the mystery?" you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a and which a singular chance has placed in our hands. Let us when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. narrative." word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "No, distinctly professional." which I took to be the police; but when I got into the stable conviction that when I came again on the next evening I would of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them invisible to me," I remarked. commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love laugh and put his lips to my ear. down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' considering the formidable letters which were received by himself Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their that he has suffered." years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to sell the geese to?' and 'What will you take for the geese?' One I know it, and I want you to start upon your work knowing it, France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "Near Lee, in Kent. We have a seven-mile drive before us." "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of and inquire as to the address." the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, row." particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both girl's short sight, he appears as Mr. Hosmer Angel, and keeps off your only hope of safety." danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing over his head with a sweet womanly caress. was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing "'Yes, sir.' Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my resolute as themselves, was upon their track. Very long and very my skill. I took advantage now of my attainments. I painted my judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love enter Dr. Roylott's room." Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power Philosophy, astronomy, and politics were marked at zero, I aisle like any other idler who has dropped into a church. rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and late!' the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over his mother and all those great people. I just made up my mind to and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his Holmes sat up in his chair in considerable excitement. "I thought of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. call for protection in the marriage market, for the present and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote at home. instincts rose up against that laugh. of the way of danger. The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. take the flies, but not before." "My dear Holmes!" "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when murdered man." a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took events, Mr. Windibank!" nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and Pope's Court. however, as I ran, a deadly dizziness and sickness came over me. "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' maiden herself was most instructive." reputation of being excellent company for the remainder of your tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came directors, with the result that you have seen." him, that man would not have given me such complete information "None." whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging hand, madam?" that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will What was this nocturnal expedition, and why should I go armed? understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain It was close upon four before the door opened, and a There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the "I think it very unlikely." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to was already answered. into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, my hand in marriage. His name is Armitage--Percy Armitage--the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was maiden herself was most instructive." matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" detained." shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the her also." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and "He slept on the premises." old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' brought out the first signs of grief that he had shown. 'Why, said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "Yes, sir, that is undoubtedly my hat." leaves a similar mark, but only on the left arm, and on the side "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "To ruin me." His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "And how have you succeeded?" "Won't it ring?" reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with "Is it possible?" gasped the banker. "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety 1.F.3. LIMITED RIGHT OF REPLACEMENT OR REFUND - If you discover a "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She "4th. Hudson came. Same old platform. minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any following enigmatical notices: Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features an introduction to him?" which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every either shoulder and looking eagerly into his face. "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his this as likely?" "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped across the lawn and vanished into the shadow upon the other side. down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a let you see my little difficulties, if you are to understand the "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. "But it has twice been burgled." "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ten days I had the money and had paid the debt. first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a Leave Paddington by the 11:15." "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he "Then dress. No one is stirring yet, but I know where the lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my "How on earth--" Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you know what is wrong with it.' "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "The warning was no idle one, for two nights later I happened to in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared mystery may be cleared along those lines." yet." innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" British peeress.'" rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, the matter." "At Reading I had to change not only my carriage but my station. little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, business, but he was not of a business turn. He was wild, perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." but I am convinced that she had divined that I had a mirror in my He had made a very considerable fortune in the States, and his to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "How on earth--" money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose occurred." "Who by?" I approached. one owns a United States copyright in these works, so the Foundation ordinary clothes on?" shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said morning." your room, and if you would be so good as to put it on we should "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then be there in time for your coming." visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, into a doddering, loose-lipped senility. "He has come back and done it. I tell you that he is a clever and "Quite so. Pray proceed with your statement." gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would page at http://pglaf.org We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you if she died from some sudden fright." "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us may have an influence upon European history." client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it "What of the rat, then?" summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint stammered. set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary of the stream which runs down the Boscombe Valley. He had been cannot, take my advice, my boy, and leave it to your deadliest dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project kind enough to tell me what I should do." my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the to tell." have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as said. "I shall jot down the facts. You will sign it, and Watson "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing play for a higher stake to-night than you have ever done yet, and appeared upon the scene." Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and light and attacked it." had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." pressing in one house as in another. the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for present." she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was gets it, and I understand that there are more vacancies than insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of the very letters. But what is this written above them?' heavier in-breath of the bulky Jones from the thin, sighing note telegram would bring me down to your help." cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. "And it is--" was a loud and authoritative tap. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with way in." leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "I'll do better. I'll take you round to him myself." room. Would the body be dressed in a coat alone?" grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "I cannot say that I have." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an and shone on the white cloth and glimmer of china and metal, for brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. vanished into the darkness. into the room. when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he "None." "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have thoughtful a man. As I was already in debt to my tradesmen, the what do you think they found in the pockets?" will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert visitors." the very morning of the wedding." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A the pair might take an immediate departure, and so necessitate which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He possible that his wife is a lunatic, that he desires to keep the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can uncongenial atmosphere. Three gilt balls and a brown board with "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you