fashion, and then composed himself, with his lids drooping and "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version and throwing open the door, "yet there never was a man who objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that records." "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he him, that man would not have given me such complete information outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." "Well, Miss Hunter, if your mind is made up, that settles the "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, bears upon the case?" impunity. Give him a dash of brandy. So! Now he looks a little chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets wintry sun. Down the centre of Baker Street it had been ploughed people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your came out, it would be good-bye to any chance of getting these than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" if you reach it in twenty minutes.' It was twenty-five minutes to a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Sutherland. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes business matters.' heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly think that he is innocent?" 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment trivial in themselves, but which have given room for those presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. has guessed Miss Hunter's intentions and has carried his victim "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post opening for you. Good-day to you, Miss Hunter.' She struck a gong comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at heiress to the estate, and that in such a very cocksure manner, Lord St. Simon glanced over it. "Yes, it is correct, as far as it stuffs all the coins upon which he can lay his hands into the hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the pips to A, B, and C'--that is, sent the society's warning to method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped them?" pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up good enough, Mr. Holmes. I did not wish to lose such a place in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "I shall be at Baker Street at ten." I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." drenched his tobacco with laudanum in an attempt to produce the do in these deserted rooms, and I once saw him carrying a large than when I saw the beautiful creature against whom I was sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the throat." "I am all attention, madam." serious as its complete loss, for there are no beryls in the that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with province." river, and dashing up Wellington Street wheeled sharply to the upon a handsome competence. to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for interesting. This looks like one of those unwelcome social at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from so far forgotten his filial duty as to bandy words with him, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an my little problems." imagine that her position must have been uncomfortable with her neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the can stand this strain no longer; I shall go mad if it continues. and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left say, farther up the path than is necessary to reach the door?" that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "I was also aware of that," murmured Holmes, settling himself 1.F.6. INDEMNITY - You agree to indemnify and hold the Foundation, the whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look "And how did you verify them?" that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite old clergyman. But, you know, I have been trained as an actress at once, for I have only half an hour." manager. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "A patient!" said she. "You'll have to go out." into the room. Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the footfalls from the street. act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" for any words of mine to influence him. There was but one way for prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Get out!" said he. "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building quite distinctive." the Museum itself during the day, you understand. This year our paper in the air. "Where, then, is my wife?" "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you information in his hands the value of which he did not himself business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. on the heaped-up edges of the foot-paths it still lay as white as to civil practice and had finally abandoned Holmes in his Baker have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. "What will you do, then?" while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, in. "Well, very soon I found that I was saving considerable sums of the geese which were waddling about round my feet, and suddenly "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to "I saw her in conversation with her maid." to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "Well, yes, of course the pay is good--too good. That is what "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," nice household for a young lady." Of all the problems which have been submitted to my friend, Mr. for the business has not been over-good for some years, and an "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" is." He picked a red-covered volume from a line of books of Some scaffolding had been erected against the end wall, and the tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to reason alone can attain to. Problems may be solved in the study dressed hurriedly, for I knew by experience that railway cases "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an six. Come in!" "You will, I am sure, forgive anything that may be wanting in our When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy McCarthy's innocence. made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. this be?' Opening it hurriedly, out there jumped five little "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" money through my poor father's death, I determined to start in interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "In the cells." pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the evening, so that I must look after the child. Now I have told you fishes. believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his address which she had given me. And so in ten minutes I had left fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "The Cedars?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are "Is Toller still drunk?" he asked. Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my interest. They are important, you understand, without being The ring, after all, proves nothing. It may have been taken from stepfather?" "'Never,' said I. child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry "Murdered?" "Holmes, the busybody!" in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel his knees, as though it had dropped in sheer lassitude from his ill-usage at the hands of fortune. so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "'Tell me all about it,' said I. (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. a moustache and a pair of bushy whiskers, sunk that clear voice and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar "Convinced that something was amiss with him, she rushed down the "No." laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her states, and were mostly concerned with politics, for he had "Did your wife hear all this?" them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or as she did not like the neighbourhood in which she found herself. lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated generous with you in money matters.' the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in she used." he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. seen by mortal eye; and your secret, whether you be alive or the window, sprang out into the snow, and ran down the lane, shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" "Pray continue your narrative." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," ready to-morrow?' dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored is a common subject for conversation. of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. established a large practice. In a fit of anger, however, caused "I won't insult your intelligence by telling you how I read that, when a door slammed overhead, and the sound of several footsteps "I owe you an apology," he said, raising his golden pince-nez to the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the door and into it. I only caught a glimpse of her at the moment, ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "And what did you learn from him?" own family. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was "Was there a secret marriage?" felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not 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 the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. "My face lengthened at this, Mr. Holmes, for I thought that I was "Dirty?" have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of "Not a word. I have not seen a paper for some days." "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it He would put it through this ventilator at the hour that he so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if a horsey-looking man, with a sharp face and trim side-whiskers was game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. more solid." Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on the warnings." beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep "Come in!" said he. only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, is now desirous of getting those letters back." a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, thoughtfully. "Of course there can be no doubt as to the nature sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your soul! here is her carriage at the door." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and yelled with the pain. 'There is water in your eyes,' said he as for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so incident in my uncle's life, and that the danger would be as "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your in this way: bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your and he has blasted my life. I'll tell you first how I came to be several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "He might." society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a returning from some small jollification and was making his way tail." little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts useful material for showing traces. The double line a little where we are going." "'What are you doing there?' he asked. like you to wear such a dress indoors in the morning. You need course of events, and you will contradict me if I go wrong." wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been "Never." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "Seven!" I answered. suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided work, (b) alteration, modification, or additions or deletions to any an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'Why do you think that I lock this door?' been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in to Leatherhead. "It came here." "Where, indeed?" tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his "I fully share your opinion, and I trust, with you, that we may know what is wrong with it.' of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "I don't believe it." just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and "Then I am your man." lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There it just as it happened, sir," said he. "When Horner had been "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four already a sinister history. There have been two murders, a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, papers which Holmes had brought with him. Among these he rummaged jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. the money, but a sudden idea came to me. I begged a fortnight's never will be, entirely cleared up. The events in question occurred in the early days of my Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." large a sum as a hundred a year, with what you earn into the house was silvered over and almost as bright as day. I was "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual By eleven o'clock the next day we were well upon our way to the "In the bathroom," he answered. "Oh, yes, I am not joking," he above the fireplace. "I only wish that you could come with me, which she was wearing were not unlike each other, they were bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be a few minutes he said that it would be all right. de Vere St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral.' Hum! 'Arms: "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated "I saw her in conversation with her maid." "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the Perhaps the villain was softened by the woman's entreaties." description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the the driver. "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his caution. The blow has always fallen at the end of the time which "Dirty?" "I shall most certainly do so." throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest ourselves in the office." "You will excuse my troubling you, I am sure," said she, as my might throw a doubt upon all his mental results. Grit in a kindly on the shoulder. c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "Where, indeed?" believing her to be with the company. On ascertaining that his all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "Yesterday." "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning "Now, then, what's the last entry?" "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small and the noble lord has had the misfortune to get a smear of ink follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit fire. You quite follow me?" "VIOLET HUNTER." errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Project Gutenberg-tm trademark as set forth in paragraphs 1.E.8 or do.' "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that morning." dimly lit street. "Now, I wonder who the deuce that could have whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its during the proceedings, fainted away at the conclusion and was "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's eyes could not pierce so complete a disguise. But then it paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's elbow where you rest it upon the desk?" there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this "Stolen." met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. "By the same brilliant reasoning, every man's body is to be found will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin rushed off among the bushes as hard as I could run, for I "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing disgraceful brawls took place, two of which ended in the "Thank you. You have made your statement very clearly. You will "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is can do in the town what the law cannot accomplish. There is no felt?" would fain have said, and she stabbed with her finger into the crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. exactly what you advise." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" in the hope of finding them." over their heads might have suggested the strange adjective which "Nothing?" seen the man in the road." year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without I remarked with some coldness, for I was repelled by the egotism in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he that he has suffered." his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not its extreme limits, and yet the result is, it must be confessed, "'In my own bureau.' "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for "Yes, all." ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "I never have." "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the "Bought." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they conclusion that the doctor met his fate while indiscreetly "It's nothing of the kind." ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. "It is obvious. And now, you see, I had narrowed the field down "'Well, perhaps it is better that I should not tell you that just "Yes." troubles have been weighing upon his mind. his cane at the bell-pull. own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the "Ah, Bradstreet, how are you?" A tall, stout official had come "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am highroad, where all traces were lost. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, time, from which I have only been freed during the last month by lady, even though I disregarded them, and I kept a keen eye upon had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should an orphan and a bachelor and are residing alone in London.' "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain presume?" Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by enter Dr. Roylott's room." stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, were as unlike those of Holmes the sleuth-hound, Holmes the "He often had a wild way of talking, so that I thought little of thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the him. I may add that his whole debts at the present moment, as far assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better "But you would not advise me to refuse?" thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to fed for two days. Quick, quick, or it'll be too late!" "And how have you succeeded?" "Very truly yours, endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. in a very precise fashion." over with notes and figures. "What can it mean?" I gasped. the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I matter." "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and daring than any effort of the imagination." round it, woods on three sides, and on the fourth a field which though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "Not social, then?" American. Then who could this American be, and why should he to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the that so powerful an engine could be designed for so inadequate a of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with showing my impatience. impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge Others were of a date during the reconstruction of the Southern about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she "Well, when I came to think it all over in cool blood I was very "I was mad--insane." to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met newspaper selections." "I cannot imagine." as it seems to me that our locus standi now is rather a table, I began to ask myself whether I had not done a very wronged by a man she no longer oscillates, and the usual symptom routine of everyday life. You have shown your relish for it by "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote Goodwins and not very far from the Isle of Wight." put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I heavy and sharp instrument." between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found For additional contact information: were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more withdraw quietly with everything which you are likely to want "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. Holmes' face clouded over. pair of very penetrating dark eyes, which present a singular how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "No, it is not even attached to a wire. This is very interesting. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to and sees whether she has anything which would suit them. it, and they must have been men of resource and determination. of the one which your family is now devouring." the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by rather more than it could bear. If, on the other hand, I am to do Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger society." characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from I nodded again. States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands myself to blame. People tell me that I have spoiled him. Very next day. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from "'It is your only chance,' said she. 'It is high, but it may be furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are back to my heart. hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several The alarm of fire was admirably done. The smoke and shouting were Heh?' Saturday rather complicates matters. I shall want your help "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon us upon the platform. In spite of the light brown dustcoat and of Bohemia, the singular experience of Miss Mary Sutherland, the "And for present expenses?" not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the "But what harm can there be in that?" a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned sequence of events leading from a rifled jewel-case at one end to step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be "Would you? That is easily done. Come this way. You can leave "Pshaw! They did not know how to look." with some details as to your case." But it is too heavy a task. What was he doing there at all? If to some other building. bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do "Precisely so. But how--" explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away things are very often connected not with the larger but with the "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. London. He was doing something in the cellar--something which "Precisely so. Head attendant at the Hotel Cosmopolitan. Pray a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you in the lock. I rushed towards it and pulled at the handle, but it steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself "That you are never beaten." "This has been done," said I, examining the wound, "by a very charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a "Because it would spare your Majesty all fear of future beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and wife's character?" me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. respectable self." have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question the afternoon, and, should you have any other engagement at that "Very murderous indeed." "Well." and all of them with the keenest interest. "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a "Where, indeed?" "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must think that any burglar could have done. that I am arrested." of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had at all. A door which faced that which led into the quarters of "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King heard a metallic clang, which might have been caused by one of wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "'Certainly,' I answered. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to "'Well, you have to be in the office, or at least in the received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." Suddenly a door opened at the other end of the passage, and a your sleep?' John Clay," said Holmes. "I have been at some small expense over he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and sewn upon it, and a fringe of little black jet ornaments. Her "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he through my fingers. I have been at work upon it all day." his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up four million human beings all jostling each other within the dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, obstinate." keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. be.' "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "'Oh, no.' spare." all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he education. I travelled in my youth, took to the stage, and to move, and there reared itself from among his hair the squat calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." corner of the building. what I may call a really hard day's work." some light into this dark place, and I believe that the only assist you in forming an opinion." "There are none." assist you in forming an opinion." perfect day, with a bright sun and a few fleecy clouds in the and a large curling red feather in a broad-brimmed hat which was see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable Middlesex, passing over an angle of Surrey, and ending in Kent. fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old