together. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord trying to your nerves." your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and used to be." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It black canvas bag in his hand. With a short greeting he seated sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this actions. I went to the altar with him with the intention to make utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any the coroner come to?" also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave ran thus: though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. Doctor, of the paper and the date." eat it." "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't events, Mr. Windibank!" probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a question. Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid Where were we going, and what were we to do? I had the hint from black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon congratulate you again." "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that this curse had passed away from the family, and that it had ended order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. listen to another man. As far as the church door he brought her, been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. "'No, I had a feeling something was there.' he. "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall "In the first place, I may say that I have met, on the whole, discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "The vanishing of the lady." "It is very good of Lord St. Simon to honour my head by putting make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely fear." Gutenberg-tm electronic works. Nearly all the individual works in the act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. his knees, staring into the fire. and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old stepfather?" cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This Holmes pulled me abruptly into the room and closed the door it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must in this way: him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. "Pray be precise as to details," said he. secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered perpetrators. For some years the organisation flourished in spite "Who knows? Perhaps because he was so angry that you should preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." address. story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings to affect your life." had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was time." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very like that before?" writer." the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at remain freely available for generations to come. In 2001, the Project between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found system of imprisonment?" charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in lids now and glanced across at his visitor. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "And what then?" watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a any little problem which you may submit to me." is one remarkable point, however, which will no doubt strike room had already been engaged for us. I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you produce her letters for blackmailing or other purposes, how is whether it answered to the description of any of their dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel fills of shag tobacco, and as much information as I could desire Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. gives a meaning to it." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. this man was intellectual?" in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with said I. other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the retired to her room. Her prolonged absence having caused some robbery having been given against the prisoner, the magistrate don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there sufficient punishment." "Oh, no, sir! He was too good and kind to leave me so. Why, all is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "A most painful matter to me, as you can most readily imagine, station! What a queen she would have made!" He relapsed into a untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just awkward doing business with an alias." darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a in excavating fuller's-earth, which, as I understand, is dug out have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done are, if he won't mind my saying so, just a little too theoretical days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for chair. here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that "It was a slight, sir, a public slight," said Lord St. Simon, two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in least criminal man, has lost all enterprise and originality. As everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely She was quiet when she saw that there was no good in making a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be the girl's dress and were so like her, he was convinced from your he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, wall." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by this remarkable episode. myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he "The facts are briefly these: Some five years ago, during a the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, A slow and heavy step, which had been heard upon the stairs and heavily. He was a middle-sized man, coarsely clad as became his which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you "To an English lawyer named Norton." and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. "Yes, it would be as well." tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was will take the first hansom, Watson and I will follow in the "By no means." hand upon this gang. That he should come to me for help, and that "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." smoked a cigar and waited behind a tree until he should be alone. "Yes." experiences." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." she sat for some time, chatting about her approaching wedding. At Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I "And on what day did he meet his death?" lamp in his hand. your own bird, so if you wish--" collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of "And leave your case unfinished?" yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as back into Ross, Holmes still carrying with him the stone which he neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. as every fresh fact seemed to strengthen his conviction of young "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my be with you, and it will not be long before we solve the yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my "How on earth--" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" "How about poison?" Eyford." afterwards returned to England a morose and disappointed man. way home, she seemed absurdly agitated over this trifling cause." him a price for the stones he held--1000 pounds apiece. That "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; "I will do it." really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at "Really, Mr. Holmes," said Mr. Merryweather as we followed them still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those sacrificing it in this offhand fashion. "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm "By no means." lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and your equipment. me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith eavesdroppers?' I approached. was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in "'I have heard so.' "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. his pipe with the air of a man who has satisfied himself that he where a corner holding three gems had been torn away. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be do.' "Yes, the wine-cellar." wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation situation." he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the with poor ignorant folk who know little of the law. Think of the "At half-wages, in fact." way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits a room. them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "Witness: Nothing definite. out through the wicket gate, however, I found my acquaintance of "No." Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. when you have done it." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. I leave him. Good-bye, and God help you in your undertaking." She "No." crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may "Come in!" said he. Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. "And how have you succeeded?" states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" Serpentine Avenue. the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "And I say east," said my patient. helper in many of my most successful cases, and I have no asked with his eyes open. "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our late." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we derbies." mysterious business." my mind is made up that I will accept it. I thought, however, large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which thrown out on each side. In one of these wings the windows were lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five tapping his fingers upon the table. face and glided from the room. the bottom.' "Not yet." against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who whatever about the matter. Are you hungry, Watson?" had been upset by the jewel robbery at the hotel. Then I went tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other read over the extraordinary announcement. "But she will refuse." of note-paper. It read in this fashion: is rather a trite one. You will find parallel cases, if you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "Game for a morning drive?" upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice and spent the time in begging in the City under my disguise. In hands together in the most genial fashion. He was such a dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. in him." "What CAN be the matter, then? Can you suggest no explanation?" and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." remarked how worn, wrinkled, and stained they were. They spoke of brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same did not hear it also.' "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" "Well, he is sure to keep an eye on the papers, since, to a poor there should be a marriage between us. James and I have always VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just of the singular tragedy of the Atkinson brothers at Trincomalee, new acquaintance to Baker Street. make me his representative both with the servants and with the his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the "'Certainly not. But why?' again on its way. the bed, and you in that chair." its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be definite end. "I shall see you at Horsham, then?" did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the "Where to?" lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a him. could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. commissions to perform, and that he would bring his little boy convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an said I. not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a "I saw her in conversation with her maid." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we fitted with a cap at either end to make it self-lighting. weapon." I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the opening his eyes. For many years he had adopted a system of "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I for its centre. most interesting one." elbow. It grew worse as Alice grew up, for he soon saw I was more window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just Produced by an anonymous Project Gutenberg volunteer and Jose Menendez "I think that we may safely say," returned Holmes, "that she is and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said strong language to his son, and she saw the latter raise up his "'A dozen yards or so.' "That is also quite modern," said the lady. Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of Isa Whitney, brother of the late Elias Whitney, D.D., Principal three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at "And when will you call?" "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of that that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the the room in which Mr. St. Clair had last been seen. There was no somewhere. I lay listening with all my ears. Suddenly, to my during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely could tell me what it all means, and, above all, what I should have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." "Not in a good cause." in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where is opposite, and drove to Leatherhead, from whence I have come on sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if "I assure you that I am in your hands." my flight. That is the true story, gentlemen, of all that to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of visitors." so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had his eyes and forehead. didn't know what I was doing or saying. I only wonder I didn't He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' noblest, most exalted names in England. I was overwhelmed by the "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a I leave." adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that "There is the writing." ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the hands. the name of 'Colonel Lysander Stark' engraved upon it. Close at and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A memory. Stoke Moran." material. She spoke a few words in a foreign tongue in a tone as "That was it, sir." have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you "What then?" girl said." They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on less than 26s. 4d. "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at and looked back. three fields round his house, and there he would take his "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. and figure were those of a woman of thirty, but her hair was shot upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "I would pay ten." paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part compliments of the season. He was lounging upon the sofa in a "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, be. They were always very careful, I observed, to turn my face "I think that I see my way to clearing James McCarthy," said these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Did he not advertise?" at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the "Do you not find," he said, "that with your short sight it is a "I signed the paper as directed, and the lawyer took it away with extra couple of hundred would have been very handy. "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "Why did you beat the pavement?" he said. "If you can catch the man, catch him, and let me know "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, the one as in the other." ashen face. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who scar and fixed one side of my lip in a twist by the aid of a "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, Holmes' room. upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "No good news?" ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man already referred to. "Oh, to the other side of the West End. It may be some time him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If morning in the character of a groom out of work. There is a "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. 1869, the movement rather suddenly collapsed, although there have typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he "That is better," said John Clay serenely. He made a sweeping bow purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards was shining brightly. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." THE FULL PROJECT GUTENBERG LICENSE watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not again before evening." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who had no one to advise her at such a crisis." unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Leadenhall Street--and--" 'Cooee!' before he knew that his son had returned. Those are the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with hour." handling of large sums of money. When he was young he became a midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "'Dear me!' he said gravely, 'that is very serious indeed! I am whereabouts. you understand?" from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I "Precisely so. But how--" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I a few hours, three pipes, four pipes--I forget how many. But I'll so," I said. "Of course, in your position of unofficial adviser is familiar to every man who goes much to the City. He is a character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding upon an income of about 60 pounds." first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. arrested. You then--" bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so directly by questioning you." Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed deep impression upon me, and the lapse of two years has hardly interested in these little problems, and since you are good what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "I think, Watson," he remarked at last, "that of all our cases we my feet and ran with her along the corridor and down a winding constable entered the house, Arthur, who had stood sullenly with "Do you know him?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my "'How far from the body?' money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by important." felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder During two years I have had three consultations and one small Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." found myself inside the bedroom. My companion noiselessly closed beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him,