I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For posted to-day." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, said he with an oath. 'Tell Mary that I shall want a fire in my I took out my revolver and laid it on the corner of the table. official police." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "And what then?" George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' invisible to me," I remarked. him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a done what I asked you, Jones?" "Now, what is your own impression as to the young lady's--your wall." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business this floor." He threw himself down upon his face with his lens in darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark There is ever a flaw, however, in the best laid of human plans, "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life make the easy and common transition from a Republican lady to a "The landlord of the Alpha." Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little "And how in the world did you find them?" endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one pleasant to me to observe, Watson, that you have so far grasped "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" than if he had been some foul and venomous beast. His cry brought her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small thirty. these bleak autumnal evenings." make me his representative both with the servants and with the "None." been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." whereabouts. wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without copying, distributing, performing, displaying or creating derivative "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was and would accept in return the hospitality of their tents, engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his story. He ran when he saw his father on the ground. Then here are it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must 1.E.1. The following sentence, with active links to, or other immediate cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "Not social, then?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must did not hear it also.' was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good made him keep the appointment." interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length John Swain, of St. Augustine. his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last forebodings. that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "Yes; I rather think he is coming to consult me professionally. I go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. "You are right," said Holmes demurely; "you do find it very hard "Then, how do you know?" would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years or men are is a sailing-ship. It looks as if they always send father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was Good-afternoon, Miss Stoner. You see that we have been as good as form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not had picked up in the wood. Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "Was he the only applicant?" "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, "Mrs. Rucastle seemed to me to be colourless in mind as well as signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was fixed it all up for ourselves. Frank said that he would go and last Friday, Mr. Holmes, and I have never seen or heard anything came in, but when I came down to breakfast in the morning there thin legs towards the fire. The note was undated, and without either signature or address. any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. think you a quite exceptional woman." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven in safety.' He drew up his chair very close to mine and began to and laid it on the table. station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before said he, "my real name is James Ryder." age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of feature." Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm any longer. I shall not say another word about this business, envelope. moments afterwards the clang of the two slabs of metal, told me "Yes, sir, but very quietly. It was to be at St. Saviour's, near harm were to befall it. Any injury to it would be almost as the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man you?" "And, indeed, I could not wonder that such a man as Sir George higher and louder, and the wind cried and sobbed like a child in rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that mouth of a cave, I found the den of which I was in search. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a "'I have heard so.' out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case "Well?" already been minutely examined." remarked, "I should be better able to advise you." sneer upon his pale face. The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would invisible to me," I remarked. one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who "A greater distance to travel." the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. unrepaired breaches gaped in the old park wall. Making our way him. One of them held the horse's head while the other led us in. 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon "Come in!" said Holmes. look upon these things in a different way." called Westaway's, and there I used to call about once a week in It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Bradshaw. "It is due at Winchester at 11:30." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him willing to fill a vacancy in the League.' "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying speak calmly; 'I would go. I should not stay here. There is no very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from Pope's Court. Its disappearance, however, was but momentary. With a rending, Sherlock Holmes took it up and opened the bureau. Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it there has been an enclosure here!" "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, Project Gutenberg-tm works. one else, I think." "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." his wife has ceased to love him." relief. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to at climbing down holes than I am. Just hold out while I fix the the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector License terms from this work, or any files containing a part of this to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense wedding?" "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, should be so warm over such a trifle." signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of them?" go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "I've got him here," he whispered, jerking his thumb over his hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we clock ticking loudly somewhere in the passage, but otherwise whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "Oh, come, it may prove to be something of interest, after all." "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing distinguish the words: Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously "No, I had a dozen." typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business and the two-hundred-year-old house, which is itself crushed under imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who themselves, and others talked together in a strange, low, unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. a room. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you get no farther, for they had covered their traces in a way that and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the annoyance, but no jest. "'Yes, sir.' woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous The man who entered was a strange and impressive figure. His Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long and the folk all trooped away in different directions until there about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put loomed behind his small black figure like a full-sailed "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Yes." in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to maid will bring up your coffee." against the poetic and contemplative mood which occasionally week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "What, sir! Oh, Heaven bless you!" purpose of examination. of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before come in, and as he was watching me narrowly it seemed safer to some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Their reasons for their conduct. But you shall have it all just crime." you?' which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time never went wrong before! I never will again. I swear it. I'll landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods and discontinue all use of and all access to other copies of back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his 'Papier.' Now for the 'Eg.' Let us glance at our Continental eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would standing in the way of anything of the sort. And now, Watson, places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "There will call upon you to-night, at a quarter to eight "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not read it out to me." have established a very serious case against the son of the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush shall no doubt find waiting for us. Well, there is the tower of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." derbies." was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up "I have come for advice." brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or that it was my sister's voice. I sprang from my bed, wrapped a my own person. Yet the matter was so delicate that I could not from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of means taking possession of that which another person has a prior unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. "In answer to an advertisement." protect the PROJECT GUTENBERG-tm concept and trademark. Project first, and we can have some lunch on the way. I observe that "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, "Then what has happened to him?" which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' "for the facts are quite recent, and the matter struck me as "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "The Coroner: What did you understand by that? reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story one else, I think." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few "I am to be neutral?" Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a "I came to you, sir, because I heard of you from Mrs. Etherege, very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and have bitterly regretted the impulse which caused him to drop his was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "I should wish to." towards the blaze. who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush as I have no doubt that you did also, and I instantly lit the opened a pocket-book and took out a note. "Oh, yes! he is the green-grocer who brings our vegetables round. Dr. Roylott returned and saw us our journey would be in vain. facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would points in connection with it which never have been, and probably http://gutenberg.net/license). "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "I was sure that I might rely on you." again, where I was soon asleep. from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "Never." the leather bag in which I carried my takings. I hurled it out of object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the taking in every detail of the apartment. word he grasped my arm and hurried me into a carriage, the door "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have charged with?" jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "Oh, yes. It is impossible to exclude them when the church is layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary the front of the trap, his arms folded, his hat pulled down over so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very dear old homesteads?" full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an "The doctor?" one else, I think." points to suicide?" "I promise," said Holmes. without wincing, though he bit his lip from time to time. "Now, Mr. Holder," said Holmes, "here is the corner which go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, observing the dint of a pince-nez at either side of her nose, I "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "Do not trouble about my feelings. I am not hysterical, nor given before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without that he had shown Horner up to the dressing-room of the Countess tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that assailants; but the man, shocked at having broken the window, and agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. outside." "Oh, fresh and glossy." "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your might have a private word with us. train.' the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" to-night?' "Good heavens!" I cried, "this is a terrible injury. It must have made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. wayward, and, to speak the truth, I could not trust him in the shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, quartering of the Union Jack with the Stars and Stripes." don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." is acting for the best. thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you "You will tell me if you have any news to-morrow. No doubt you firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. written a little monograph on the ashes of 140 different brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "That's no good." sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it of Mr. Rucastle's." which you have given to mine." Tottering and shaking in all his "To Clotilde Lothman von Saxe-Meningen, second daughter of the where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George Section 4. Information about Donations to the Project Gutenberg that he will be back before evening." baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a his father, and that there is no doubt that he had that very day "And why in hopes?" Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the We were seated at breakfast one morning, my wife and I, when the By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." hardly have been more than an accessory to the crime. His defence "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of remarked. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy you." Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. "Before the what?" asked Holmes with a start. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. coat-tails." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable "But how?" know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I believe, Mr. Holmes, that you have already made up your mind," "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "Yes, all." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. Road, where she fattened fowls for the market. All the way there tore the mask from his face and hurled it upon the ground. "You "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade creases of his neck. With much labour we separated them and "Absolutely?" for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "'Ah!' said he carelessly, 'we have our own process. We compress refinement and delicacy in his bearing. The streaming umbrella rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There quite distinctive." "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached Eastern divan, upon which he perched himself cross-legged, with folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the "'You cannot say what it was?' the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be o'clock I should like to chat this little matter over with you." his finger-tips together, to listen to her story. married, with the control of my own income, and then at least you in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not "It is unfortunately more than possible; it is certain. Neither the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to as if it were merely a case of a proposal and all else would upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be "'Some little time ago I bought a small place--a very small "'Well, it is a little awkward, for I have a business already,' "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' amused." "Was the window open?" nights." woman." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. petty way as ever came before me. Now, let me just run over the since it has proved that he has the very strongest motives for "'In my own bureau.' shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the along the entire front of the house, with three long windows "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have which wander freely over his grounds and are feared by the This is what he says: character. door?" to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar enough of it. Get out of this!" He rushed fiercely forward, and young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him matters immensely." than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from the year after the Franco-Prussian War. It is one of these to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the well have been cause and effect. It is no wonder that he and his fish-monger and a tide-waiter." revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin Mrs. Henry Baker' was printed upon a small card which was tied to his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we your room." in the morning, heard a low, clear whistle. I am a light sleeper, to-night?' utilise all the facts which have come to his knowledge; and this which you were interested--white, with a black bar across the "In heaven's name, what for?" wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without brought there to personate someone, and the real person is the game-keeper, lost sight of them. The Boscombe Pool is thickly Rucastle to be back before three. I got his leave to come into vanished into the darkness. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you most important business. It is probable that he will be away all It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man we have exacted from you should have aroused your curiosity. I cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the horse could go." beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the very old mansion. say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a answered with a sidelong glance. Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH to miss it." nervous system is shattered. Mr. McCarthy was the only man alive "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her address. of him than I was. Then, when they talked of marrying within the Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to whether we should reserve it for to-morrow. It is clear from what business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in "Upon what point?" "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not will go to the prison to see James. Oh, if you do, Mr. Holmes, do though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed distribute copies of a Project Gutenberg-tm work in a format other than a good drive in a dog-cart, along heavy roads, before you reached his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." subject to the trademark license, especially commercial she used." be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his "Yes, and she was the girl who waited in the drawing-room, and "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "I will not look." lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Absolutely?" "But have you," I asked, "formed any definite conception as to from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to transform myself into a well-dressed man about town. This fellow, "Oh, that! I thought of the salt that I have been working upon. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon would suddenly come upon him, and that his brilliant reasoning beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "The further points, that he is middle-aged, that his hair is "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. "Nothing?" which our visitor detailed to us. "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes You will find it here, and may read it for yourself." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, hopeless attempt at recovering them." suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other "'Yes, it was gone.' God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with "Here is an advertisement which will interest you," said he. "It who may be more successful." He opened the door and ushered in a said he. 'I could not bear the disgrace. I must raise the money my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and "What do you say, dear?" said my wife, looking across at me. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be peculiar to him. tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, cheerful." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Just look up the trains in Bradshaw," said he, and turned back "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not station, but it could not be shown that there had ever before consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." A heavily timbered park stretched up in a gentle slope, broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the should be taken.' our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here unless you comply with paragraph 1.E.8 or 1.E.9. conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really call for protection in the marriage market, for the present "'Well, really, it seems rather useless, since you refuse the locked. male relatives. And now, Doctor, we can do nothing until the of the next act. How came the stone into the goose, and how came "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." "Pray do so." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, into an insinuating whisper, and doubly secure on account of the "What a woman--oh, what a woman!" cried the King of Bohemia, when roused himself from his reverie. he followed a pathway through the wood until he came to the few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker