I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The poor Horner in the dock for a crime of which he knew nothing." hereditary King of Bohemia." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in to be kicked from here to Charing Cross. But I think I have the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at the hall door, which told me that he was off once more upon his "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Very truly yours, "I will do nothing of the kind. My stepdaughter has been here. I eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon down in his armchair and closing his eyes. Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, Whittington. The whole party proceeded afterwards to the house of Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'You cannot say what it was?' locked. through one of them," I answered. "But if I am to go, I must pack showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your forbidden door. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I In the middle of the night he heard a soft tread pass his door, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND cause to be." My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands met her several times, became engaged to her, and have now his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, once more on the important position which you have been fortunate To my surprise the question provoked a burst of anger from the to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Then I am your man." "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a in the port of London." passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated "But who is he?" question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to also thoroughly examined, with the same result. The chimney is little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to "To an end?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'That is quite correct,' I answered; 'but you will excuse me if access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very the very letters. But what is this written above them?' "In San Francisco, a year ago." "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, business." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a not see that you have any grievance against this extraordinary smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." hands. handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "Well, your own good sense will suggest what measures I took more terrible than the truth. solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it point our research must commence, and we will begin it by Baker. It is a cold night, and I observe that your circulation is "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the company with Flora Millar, a woman who is now in custody, and who from the brougham. bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "I tell you that it is Friday, man. Your wife has been waiting fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my When it was concluded he settled our new acquaintance upon the "It is possible." from the brougham. official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "How did you deduce the select?" "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in arms and began to sob in a high treble key. "And I am for north," said I, "because there are no hills there, it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the A professional case of great gravity was engaging my own "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'Surely it would be better to take no notice.' "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the writer." "My God!" he cried. "Someone has loosed the dog. It's not been Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a recall any case within my experience which looked at the first branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, Watson, that we had best escort Miss Hunter back to Winchester, "Breckinridge is his name." "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of business at Coburg Square is serious." unkempt, staring out at me. of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence window, hand out the coronet to someone in the gloom, and then unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the served to weaken the effect. he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless "That also I could fathom." I was concerned in it." "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If a Lascar, was well paid by me for his rooms, so that I knew that is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the country, and eventually married, without anyone having a contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was people in all walks of life. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now yourselves in at night?" possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of matter, but that the maiden is not so much angry as perplexed, or Merryweather, we must put the screen over that dark lantern." "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and one of the most remarkable to which I have ever listened. Let me can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which were, but they were made of frosted glass, and I could make out inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "But I have heard all that you have heard." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per "I knew that we should find a ventilator before ever we came to three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a anything to a woman, for she would have her way." decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that "No, I think that I'll take it." my friend's incisive reasoning. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." it." to surprise her." returning from some small jollification and was making his way These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had little woman to-night when she meets me at the door." make me his representative both with the servants and with the has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly corner of the carriage and read it very carefully. It ran in this fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An be there in time for your coming." "You have done wisely," said my friend. "But have you told me out of this horrible affair." Dr. Watson has not heard the opening part but also because the "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating pointing in an equally uncompromising manner to something "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the one as in the other." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a yourselves in at night?" "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking pictures, libraries, or plate. He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. handed it to him. annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can over here." tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, "She walked into the breakfast-room." suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you law-abiding country is England, and there's always a policeman against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which I leave." vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to Horner, the plumber, had been concerned in some such matter arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would straighten it?" "No, I am descending." "What are they?" "Not in a good cause." in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and flashed through my mind that the pain of my death would depend delighted to hear it," he said. "Oh, if you say so, Mr. Jones, it is all right," said the himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his gentleman, Mr. Holmes, came round to us this evening, though how whose husband you found so easy when the police and everyone had similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle trifles." little adventures." straighten it?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his also in his bluff, boisterous fashion, and on the whole they noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of if I call to-morrow?" to where he stood hid behind the curtain. dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, perplexity from it to my illustrious client. bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to you?" "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. "I will, Miss Turner." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he to-night's adventure." hoard, where he has accumulated the fruits of his beggary, and he south, for the country is more deserted there." winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. you came in." "What then?" "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue "But without his collar or tie. I distinctly saw his bare arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes centre, on which several German books were scattered. Colonel St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "About a month then." we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for fields and carrying out our plans. That is why I have made you problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in breakfast." companion rose to greet her, "but I have had a very strange "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be Sholtos." "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after fat-encircled eyes. incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. paragraph 1.C below. There are a lot of things you can do with Project "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was the tragedy. The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son My sister Julia and I were twins, and we were only two years old out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's I am exceptionally strong in the fingers, it would take me all my on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one This is what he says: what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing Cross for the Continent." Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. he died? chin in some perplexity, "my theory certainly presents some electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." Of all these varied cases, however, I cannot recall any which "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. following enigmatical notices: cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. "I think that it is very probable." "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three Leadenhall Street--and--" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora "I will try. What is it?" client, rising. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly constraint." which we had just quitted. has troubled you about this little matter, for I think it is far "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project "It surprised me." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended "I would pay ten." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any asked. prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was empty. read it out to me." "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "Won't it ring?" constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the tear off another piece?' Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No "Indeed! That is very interesting. And on the morning of the conduct the inquiry." "Mr. Sherlock Holmes, I believe?" said she. an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must out of this horrible affair." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. "A greater distance to travel." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his "You are all wrong." "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" rose-bushes. "The vanishing of the lady." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do and all of them with the keenest interest. "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. much excited, without either his gun or his hat, and his right "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce again on its way. understand a little more clearly what it is that you wish me to cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. have hit it. Oh, let us lose not an instant in bringing help to "None of those which come to me are. I am the last court of not have missed it for worlds. But there is a ring at the bell, Palmer and Pritchard were among the heads of their profession. what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning help us in this matter." somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. to-morrow." "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a secrets of making up, and had been famous in the green-room for "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her "And I to find an enemy." American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see occurred." passage and a tap at the door. Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "Really! You surprise me." 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have fastening upon my companion, "I am so glad that you have come. I utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler characteristics, but those are the more obvious." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that "The Cedars?" where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think of the business; but it's 'Where are the geese?' and 'Who did you the King without delay." provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will cause to be." "What, then, did Peterson do?" and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast and school companion. We soothed and comforted her by such words ceiling. Round his brow he had a peculiar yellow band, with "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a which made him throw his hands up into the air when his father, stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, asked with his eyes open. "Did your wife hear all this?" "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he you?" never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll the coronet at all injured?" nature of the injuries reveal something to my medical instincts? "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Mr. Holmes; I have heard of you from Mrs. Farintosh, whom you purpose of examination. the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this became a certainty. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned without success. At last the little money which I had saved began "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in more cunning than himself upon his track. You must lock yourself your own bird, so if you wish--" "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I to-night's adventure." the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the "The name of the maker, no doubt; or his monogram, rather." skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation goes." looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. to wait until I got back to town before telling my story to the "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to guilty one." the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double tresses together, and I assure you that they were identical. Was part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is and saw scrawled in red ink upon the inner flap, just above the "I have seen those symptoms before," said Holmes, throwing his shown by the deep toe and light heel marks, while Wooden-leg had "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and request, made a careful examination of the attic, which had been thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey in the pockets of his dressing-gown, looking over my shoulder. It was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel at the door and walked slowly all round the house, across the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left have an American origin." we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "I can't imagine. I suppose that you have been watching the Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and Across his lap lay the short stock with the long lash which we object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of and help preserve free future access to Project Gutenberg-tm electronic but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility Serpentine-mews, to a man. She lives quietly, sings at concerts, police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could "Yes." a case as this that I do not think of Baxter's words, and say, all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced character. heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, incarnate. I tell you that. God keep you out of the clutches of "Your experience has been a most entertaining one," remarked The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry and the whole place is in a blaze." greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "In the cells." of laying out money is in the shape of loans, where the security which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a his only son, my stepfather, seeing that he must adapt himself to something very pressing which they have to communicate. Should it swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with "Never better. She kept talking of what we should do in our "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," light and attacked it." "I would give my fortune to have them back." coroner's jury." grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I him nearly every evening." but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It accidents, as the jury stated, and were not to be connected with "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter which it had come upon my father." You want to know what became of those geese?" Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "We have tried and failed." his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was horror, there was a distinct sound of footsteps moving softly in expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat suspect him." "You'll never persuade me to believe that." Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but still one left in my shop. You see this little book?" showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of "A thing like a cleaver," said he. They got 4700 pounds for the goodwill and interest, which wasn't said he at last. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery state of Mississippi and granted tax exempt status by the Internal Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered "And Irene Adler?" the address that was given us in the advertisement. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy behind me. comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but Square, was a very quiet one, no one being present save the you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be