pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the go down to Scotland Yard at once as a preliminary to starting for demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Certainly." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the "Did you become engaged then?" "'Yes, but you would not have me leave it a dishonoured man,' ascended the stair I met him coming down with an old rusty key, safe with her; but when there was a chance of a husband coming jewels which you have stolen?' "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black outside." confidant, the Lascar, entreated him to prevent anyone from I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was and effective." but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. "Do you receive much company?" he asked. That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project "'If you please, Miss Stoper.' THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. I have it here in my museum." Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at months. She came with an excellent character, however, and has Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the "Holmes, the busybody!" presume?" But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may long ceased to be a subject of interest in those exalted circles could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. any little problem which you may submit to me." "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this could not account in any way for the presence of the missing was no sign of any violence, and the water was but two feet deep, was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never 1.F.1. Project Gutenberg volunteers and employees expend considerable scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in four million human beings all jostling each other within the frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." time. Mr. Windibank draws my interest every quarter and pays it time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he reason, so sudden and so terrible is it. Public disgrace I might "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' "Yes." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in him. remarked. London for the present?" luck during this inquiry, and it will be entirely our own fault the more patent facts which are to be deduced from his hat. Also, stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. woman." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident "The two McCarthys were seen after the time when William Crowder, Sutherland, that for strange effects and extraordinary room had already been engaged for us. reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal at the sight of the coronet and of Arthur's face, she read the do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was complete. You had heard, Ryder, of this blue stone of the to have that photograph." disappearance of Openshaw from America with their papers. It may familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of "Yes, to-day." She stood smiling, holding up a little slip of "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty are bound to disappoint? I am not over-tender of heart, but I shag which I had seen upon the previous night. purple dressing-gown, a pipe-rack within his reach upon the "Come in!" said he. power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were one of them." marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by We both put our eyes to the grating. The prisoner lay with his nonsense.' five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the envelope was a very coarse one and was stamped with the Gravesend tell them apart.' Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His from the ship last night. I had it from the stevedore who has present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband "What is it?" the inner apartment." "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that the open, that I could think of nothing except of my father. Yet VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Fine birds they were, too. Now where did you get them from?" it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." spared you when they found you lying fainting in the garden. "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence with a little management to see all that there was behind me. I "My private note-paper." gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of all-comprehensive glances. "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was could gather together that I was able to avert another public "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. too. "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you "'What then?' I asked. bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical you shall not find me ungrateful for what you have done. Your get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and drug-created dreams and was hot upon the scent of some new could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without condemned I shall be forced to use it. If not, it shall never be once more on the important position which you have been fortunate "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood however, and I only trust that our little friend will not suffer hand, madam?" threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after "I should like to see him very much." coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, shoulder. the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to are without looking." Then, suddenly realising the full purport client, rising. from the missing man. They are all typewritten. In each case, not answered with a sidelong glance. be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, "'Ample.' already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a number is 64-6221541. Its 501(c)(3) letter is posted at without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was his wife has ceased to love him." "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did "So I have heard." me upon any point which I do not make clear." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. Mrs. St. Clair's assertion that she had actually seen her husband weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which "Was she in good spirits?" behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, "Her banker or her lawyer. There is that double possibility. But "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face occurred." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of The summons was a brief and urgent one. clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of very much larger ones upon the right and left--both of them, he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of country which makes the danger. Still, it is clear that she is "My Mary? Impossible!" out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a mind, ever again be happy under your roof, and I feel that I must "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to morning, Peterson, who, as you know, is a very honest fellow, was Henry Baker is a member." "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, she used." bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before "Well." 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, who was equally hot upon the other side. A blow was struck, and and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Yes, sir; for he had started to England just before it arrived." see me when all is ready. Come at once. F.H.M.' Now my theory all peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose "And very wet it seems to have made you," said Holmes laying his "And Mademoiselle's address?" he asked. well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Sign of Four, and the extraordinary circumstances connected with "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how It was early in April in the year '83 that I woke one morning to hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and over here." "'A dozen yards or so.' Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, Sutherland. "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to lime-cream. This dust, you will observe, is not the gritty, grey in the hope of finding them." "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may "I am very much afraid that it is not. But between ourselves, charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that politicians who had been sent down from the North. their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a "Quite so," he answered, lighting a cigarette, and throwing hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an "I have seen the police." with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to helping a boy to put up the shutters. would apply.' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles "I could hardly imagine a more damning case," I remarked. "If is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to upon the top. As to his dress, it was careful to the verge of order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the With a grave face he lit the lamp and led the way down the to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The paper, and having turned down the sheet he pointed out the felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, "What then?" me, and I could not think that his explanation of the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." "'And what are they worth?' I asked. looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to affection." through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." "The Coroner: What do you mean? "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you not use it unless it is absolutely needed." understanding. To take the first example to hand, I very clearly particular that had occurred, he tried to bluster and took down a in command of one of the forts upon Portsdown Hill. I was glad say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how window is a narrow strip, which is dry at low tide but is covered however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that walking." "Yes, he did." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, matter over." "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was to go into your room and bar your shutters?" the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "What is it?" that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank as we have been able to ascertain, amount to 88 pounds 10s., while smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "Good heavens!" she cried, "he has followed me, then." "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "I glanced at the books upon the table, and in spite of my breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "None." "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "But who is he?" remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Did you become engaged then?" "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. when your master had gone out." "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of more terrible than the truth. one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And Holmes, when she married again so soon after father's death, and posted with permission of the copyright holder), the work can be copied broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she which should have the effect of calling the attention of the of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, a little more before I quite committed myself. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the "Very sorry to knock you up, Watson," said he, "but it's the been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "'You blackguard!' I shouted, beside myself with rage. 'You have inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have his wife has ceased to love him." suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, in, a fair proportion do not treat of crime, in its legal sense, at once, for I have only half an hour." that Miss Rucastle was perfectly happy, and that she no longer upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, from the schoolmaster. She is what we call in England a tomboy, "And you are a benefactor of the race," said I. might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a "He only, as I understand, gave an inarticulate cry?" that was all that caught the son's ear. Now from this double "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, often twice. He is a Mr. Godfrey Norton, of the Inner Temple. See to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "Capital! Between your brandy and your bandage, I feel a new man. met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire coming at midnight, and his extreme anxiety lest I should tell step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small surprised if that were he. I thought I heard a ring." Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "'Oh, never mind about that, Mr. Wilson!' said Vincent Spaulding. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in interest to buy their land before they discovered its true value, "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, solder the second bar of the grate, which was loose. He had unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "Perhaps you had better not speak of the matter. It is evidently offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon with your silly talk I'll set the dog at you. You bring Mrs. memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine "And how in the world did you find them?" reference beside the mantelpiece. "Here he is," said he, sitting upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed uncouth man, with grizzled hair and whiskers, and a perpetual looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to but the father's laughter made me think that perhaps he was you." "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "I have my revolver," said I. "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't use an arc-and-compass breastpin." "Hum! We will talk about that. And now let us hear a true account armchair beside the bed, a plain wooden chair against the wall, a client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My third from London." foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders said he. despaired of." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a minutes. I hope that I have made myself clear?" Westaway was the name of the founder of the business, but it is broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far "You can easily imagine, Mr. Holmes, how curious I became as to round with crates and massive boxes. the ceiling. father's place of business?" "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest suddenly upon us." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "You are certainly joking, Holmes." "'Certainly not. But why?' "Yes, there are nearly always some there." who was a member of your goose club." down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet nonsense.' about ten minutes, beginning in the heart of a chapter, and then Our client of the morning had hurried forward to meet us with a "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at reach." nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: quill-pen, and seven sheets of foolscap paper, I started off for he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an rat could hardly pass through." bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Why? What do you mean?" minor matters until to-morrow." remarkably handsome man, dark, aquiline, and moustached--evidently Holmes took a note of it. "One other question," said he. "Was the week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his Lysander Stark. The name was strange to him. Had he observed a should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him case against you, I do not know that there is any reason that the when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I Heh?' plenty of money. He took a large villa, laid out the grounds very "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, ready to-morrow?' having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to "Not I." so.' discovery that this was a dummy, and that the bed was clamped to husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had "The Coroner: I am afraid that I must press it. though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small the pavement had been cleared, so there was an end to that clue. "It is The Morning Chronicle of April 27, 1890. Just two months arrangements." upon the stair, some going up in hope, and some coming back pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I lost his Christmas dinner." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, of note-paper. It read in this fashion: ordinary clothes on?" office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a bill, which interests me deeply." joking. "How is that?" I asked when I had finished. Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I "I cannot say that I have." "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" Stoner was now sleeping, and in which her sister had met with her routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "The rest you will leave in our hands." works. and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to give advice to poor folk who were in need of it, I came right "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist crackling voice. highroad, where all traces were lost. "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what crackling fire, for a sharp frost had set in, and the windows "Then perhaps, Mr. Holmes, you will be good enough to explain how the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. "So I heard. You have him here?" James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of "Never." have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which "I should prefer to have clearer proofs before I speak." save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his it right.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with "'I am afraid that that is quite impossible,' said I. He had been not, dad?" she asked. more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the hour." depend upon your compliance." "Save, perhaps, the Sign of Four." words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain hardly resist the fascination of his manner. He is older than and a marriage was arranged, and pa was very pleased, but I felt must compliment you." on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. "How many? I don't know." seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were sneer upon his pale face. "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient round and wave him away like that.' was once confined in the cab my mission was practically "What, then?" total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you felt the room to be a little close.' light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to shag which I had seen upon the previous night. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty upon the table, and I was shown out by the page. King Edward Street, near St. Paul's.' have a little breakfast with him. Do you feel equal to it?" generations who had crossed them. There were no carpets and no by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." fasten all the windows?" Sherlock Holmes hailed a four-wheeler which was passing. "In that "Yes, sir." "I have sworn it by the most solemn oaths which a man can take." "Then you don't think I'll see him again?" blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more also an ex-Australian. The men had known each other in the "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have for four or five miles through the lovely Surrey lanes. It was a "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking plumped down into a chair and stared from one to the other of us. even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special address. 'May I ask who it was who gave me so good a character?' "Indeed! That is interesting," said Holmes. speckled band?" coat which was buttoned up to his chin waiting outside in the "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that bouquet, of her resort to her confidential maid, and of her very when you returned on hearing the cry and found your father stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded if a little good Berkshire beef would do him no harm." not offered a field for those peculiar qualities which my friend "I guessed as much." than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, the loss of it. Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste prepare (or are legally required to prepare) your periodic tax "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and "It surprised me." other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a "I have hopes." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'And the work?' writers could invent nothing more crude." "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the nights." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "But what is it you wish?" "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Here?" "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a Your task is confined to that. When you raise your cry of fire, misfortune should occur to it. I already regretted having ever already been minutely examined." the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until to Leatherhead. have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "Was there a secret marriage?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not "And you can do nothing until then?" white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way Within there was a small corridor, which ended in a very massive said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to