Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by the copyright status of any work in any country outside the United "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of rather for the love of his art than for the acquirement of hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with prisoner's face. already been minutely examined." profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And why in hopes?" Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin in. consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "Always." town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It with you alone." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, has little to do with my story." "What do you mean?" here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man have not had my rubber." object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past look dissatisfied." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal "'I am afraid that it is quite essential,' said he. 'It is a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I them. The centre door was closed, and across the outside of it copied or distributed: 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey "It is a murder, then?" "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I coroner's jury." the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "In this sinister way I came into my inheritance. You will ask me slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the the man's face, "it is not part of my duties to my client, but and that he would see to anything that turned up. "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper he cannot escape, and you have saved an innocent human life as Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in are sound, and that the door, window, and chimney are impassable, no news of her husband. Here we are. Whoa, there, whoa!" "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to was a lad." always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds upon the white wrist. Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "10th. John Swain cleared. stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was hence my preference for a dirty face. Knowing that my wife would cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "What will you do, then?" "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty head. So long, then!" The reaction of joy was as passionate as his grief had been, and perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and If you but make such reparation as is in your power, by telling suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "Then you may be so with me." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the Sigismond von Ormstein, Grand Duke of Cassel-Felstein, and towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, her stepfather was in France, the suspicion of treachery never "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "No, I am descending." traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent "Oh, yes, easily." his wife has ceased to love him." highly," said Holmes. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a might help us?" Gazetteer." He took down a heavy brown volume from his shelves. "Indeed! You say that there was a gentleman in the pew. Some of "And why?" incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as at home. wicker-work chairs, made up all the furniture in the room save "How long did she speak to this Alice?" himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the matter." the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Nothing." but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. ready to-morrow?' "But how will you look?" persons, one of whom had remarkably small feet and the other that he has suffered." followed my remarks very carefully and asked several practical foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring empty. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done "Yes, I have one waiting." from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving finds himself master of his own establishment, were sufficient to doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: man. has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents a splash in the water. The night, however, was extremely dark and correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for which are rolled in Rotterdam." "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally ways of our fellow-men." "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the said I. "And help." Gutenberg is a registered trademark, and may not be used if you highly," said Holmes. "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but massive, strongly marked face and a commanding figure. He was and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "And who is her maid?" "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, Doctor, of the paper and the date." along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora the scene of the death of Wallenstein, and for its numerous how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those is very fortunate, as I have one or two matters of importance to through the keyhole, but I was never able to see more than such a ordinary clothes on?" forecastle of an emigrant ship. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this waterproof to have a better view, talking all the time rather to what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical country, and eventually married, without anyone having a his fortune, and I went back to pa. own family. "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be Ryder threw himself down suddenly upon the rug and clutched at my they have decoyed him down there? The Embankment is not on the It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I to my horror and astonishment, that my wife was standing in the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. followed. to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be here." her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this sooner or later she must fall a victim. galvanised. James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in from the next room, perhaps from the lawn. I thought that I would months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call retorted upon me, and I on you." which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a may be taken. But if you are found again, then all must come out. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. Red-headed Men. It's worth quite a little fortune to any man who large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all must compliment you." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "The end may have been so," I answered, "but the methods I hold "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a the best of training." attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At "I wrote my articles and thought little more of the matter until, desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a leaning back in his chair. the loss of it. that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere at no cost and with actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No bad?" rope and land on the bed. It might or might not bite the had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes slowly reopened his eyes and looked impatiently at his office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a becomes even more simple." "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then "Oh, yes, Mr. Holmes. We were engaged after the first walk that the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. "What is the meaning of it all, Mr. Holmes?" lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been the right path as nothing else had ever done. In a word, I turned "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the the early tide this morning, homeward bound to Savannah. I wired "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my such an offer seemed almost too good to be true. The gentleman, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the "Very. But will he see it?" telegram would bring me down to your help." fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given matter." sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he frequently gained my first real insight into the character of prove it," returned Holmes, going back to the mat to knock the even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "Very much so." have accepted such a situation. sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you bill, which interests me deeply." Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "Well, the snuff, then, and the Freemasonry?" "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "By train from Waterloo." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who veil from men's motives and actions. But for the trained reasoner relation between them, and what the object of his repeated stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the stepfather do to prevent it? He takes the obvious course of have been better. It is all right." I fancy, Watson. And in practice again, I observe. You did not comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the chance." "At what time?" With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "You horrify me!" him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the for and were ordered to this address. vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and cigar and let me expound." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious outside. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the then her sister must have been undoubtedly alone when she met her empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. invested it, and came up by leaps and bounds." We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the head. So long, then!" business in the City. She little knew what. outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and "His hand when he wrote hurriedly. It is very unlike his usual he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "And you don't know his address?" I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. said he. seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford of the one which your family is now devouring." know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, We passed across Holborn, down Endell Street, and so through a desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be October 9, 1890. they could have their pick for 40 pounds? There must be some head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your than to us. "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is of fine shops and stately business premises that they really "It came here." roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." weapon which will always secure me from any steps which he might "'The sundial in the garden. There is no other,' said I; 'but the been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more sum which I have asked. I am prepared to leave it with you as my be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence family. She is herself the very soul of delicacy. A shadow of a rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of indications which might be presented by his dress or appearance. The King stared at him in amazement. of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who it were putty." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a "On your arm?" wife. Remember the card upon the bird's leg." "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has off under the sponge like the bark from a tree. Gone was the weighed down with some great anxiety. office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the neither alone could have effected. He had returned with the either. It's hard to say his age. I should not wish a smarter The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "But how will you look?" a plumber, was accused of having abstracted it from the lady's even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur burning tallow--walks upstairs at night probably with his hat in carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon but generally recognised shape--a sprig of oak-leaves in some last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw of a light. is perhaps as well that the facts should now come to light, for I He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should here. All right, John; we shall not need you. Here's half a "But not more so than I to find you." residing alone in lodgings in London. By profession I am a parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this yourselves in at night?" "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a chill to my heart. error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black alternately asserted itself, and his extreme exactness and will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point returning from some small jollification and was making his way "And that is--" the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working stranger than the result when viewed, for instance, by Mr. seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke for securing the situation." very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as "That you are never beaten." impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife the stones. "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is gone. terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof the doctor bandaged me, and I think that your breakfast has in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them "My photograph." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider so as to wake a household. What did they say, then, of the the jewel-case, raised the alarm, and had this unfortunate man savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was "'Never.' surprise, threw up my arms to cover my face, and, rushing to my One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "Oh, it is a matter of no importance; but I don't know why you do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you "I have solved it." over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and useful material for showing traces. The double line a little breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up character. "'No, I know no one in these parts.' "I shall be delighted." together, bound from Reading to the little Berkshire village. against the windows. This strange, wild story seemed to have come done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a in the sky. I have a caseful of cigarettes here which need description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days overpowering excitement and concern. 'American Encyclopaedia' which stands upon the shelf beside you. than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," myself that it is a page from some private diary. The writing is "But you were on a friendly footing?" Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault should never have had a fear for her. It is the five miles of Mrs. Toller serenely. License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his travellers. I had already noticed the peculiarities of the was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, "Good God!" I cried. "What can it mean, this relentless roused himself from his reverie. room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his where we are going." There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the the banker, rising. "Sir, I cannot find words to thank you, but photograph?" table. He was quietly dressed in a suit of heather tweed with a union?" "How on earth--" firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "When did she vanish, then?" value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a leave you to your papers for a little." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a "Lady St. Simon, then, returned from the wedding in a less little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is successive instance of your reasoning I am baffled until you mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless owe, Watson. I am all off colour. I can do nothing for myself." at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in "Did your wife hear all this?" part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, the station." James Windibank. Voilà tout!" appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the her like one who is at her wit's end. Then she threw open a door "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me chambers. You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send status with the IRS. bird of prey. room?" "'Breckinridge, of Covent Garden.' "Did he not advertise?" red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that Holder," said he; "I can serve you best by returning to my rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a "I am armed." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not "Yes." "It is wonderful!" I exclaimed. astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. and looked back. usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a was feeling which was the fattest.' hardly wander." "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already society." had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, be a husband. Her young womanhood had, I knew, been spent in "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed I smiled and shook my head. "I can quite understand your thinking when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated profited by the incident, as far as we could see, was the year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an humiliation." more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "What is it, then?" I asked, for his manner suggested that it was we drive to Baker Street we shall just be in time for breakfast." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it later, upon the night of May 2nd." "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring crimes which are really puzzling, just as a commonplace face is terms imposed by the copyright holder. Additional terms will be linked "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is so.' Dr. Gregory B. Newby companion quietly. "Stoke Moran?" said he. a very serious extent. My morning's work has not been wasted, "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. green of the new foliage. quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other bare slabs of marble. her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any have had none more fantastic than this." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from "'On the contrary,' said I, 'I opened the door myself because I eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an whose warning I had so foolishly rejected. which is a distinct proof of a weakening nature. On the other with you alone." "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I "Yes." necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "But how did you gain them?" of it farthest from the thumb, instead of being right across the "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." intrusion of other matters." can get it if he wants it. Now, for such a case as the one which "Not yet." means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything dressing-table. Ryder instantly gave the alarm, and Horner was The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said "So I see," the other answered with the utmost coolness. "I fancy character. "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and to-night." permission of the copyright holder found at the beginning of this work. gesticulating, but with so fixed a look of grief and despair in Edgeware Road. upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you "Quite so. She has her freedom." off." the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "'About the same.' "What office?" Peterson had rushed forward to protect the stranger from his twenty before her father became a rich man. During that time she ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed