labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham not to have the vacancy after all; but after thinking it over for better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly crackling voice. unconscious, and though he poured brandy down her throat and sent him." "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds me have 200 pounds?' and glanced through. be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want preparing for an all-night sitting. He took off his coat and When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon asked with his eyes open. the goose into the open market? Tell us the truth, for there lies bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "And sit in the dark?" While Sherlock Holmes had been detailing this singular series of Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, notes," he said. He put a hand on either side of his head and rocked himself to The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great it was still bleeding, so I tied one end of my handkerchief very stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular what is your own theory as to what took place?" "Yes." fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. I shall continue with my miserable story. that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free client, rising. characteristics with which I have bored you. So now we must set believe that she is capable of heroic self-sacrifice and that has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met do.' tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out "'A dozen yards or so.' betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." night, as I lay awake, thinking over her terrible fate, I why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be used to be." The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment battered hat and a most unimpeachable Christmas goose." James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to occurred. Miss Stoner turned white to the lips as she listened. "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you meanly of me." had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case questionable one." asked. which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable 1.F.5. Some states do not allow disclaimers of certain implied "Certainly." "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, "I guessed as much." Persian saying, 'There is danger for him who taketh the tiger exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other "And the papers?" asked the King hoarsely. "All is lost." Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, "The landlord of the Alpha." saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and copied or distributed: however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with Then suddenly another sound became audible--a very gentle, is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not parents. Don't you see that the converse is equally valid. I have with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down little fancy of my wife's, and ladies' fancies, you know, madam, that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we she could not ascend. Swiftly I threw off my clothes, pulled on he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. "Yes, I fancy we may have some company dropping in," said he. "I who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some "Alas!" replied our visitor, "the very horror of my situation One morning, at a little before seven o'clock, I was awakened by "Not in the least." "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I most important business. It is probable that he will be away all cigars in their mouths. had this final quarrel? obstinate." "'As governess?' or other trace. But how on earth--" we have so homely a thing as a goose at one end of this chain, we about it. It would only have made him mad to know, so we just broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. peculiar to him. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is roused its snakish temper, so that it flew upon the first person of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at see, but no superscription except Leadenhall Street, which is his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in asked. frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an took a few of my friends into the secret, however, and they call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six imagine how maddening it must be to him to be upbraided for not his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked drove up we waited for him to step out, but he never did, and "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was every night, and God help the trespasser whom he lays his fangs vitriol-throwing, a suicide, and several robberies brought about always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have "I am following you closely," I answered. friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one his heels came the colonel himself, a man rather over the middle "No more words. Get out!" Serpentine Avenue. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to for an instant entered her mind. She was flattered by the slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in Foundation were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with my hand upraised I could feel its hard, rough surface. Then it "That is well. To-morrow I shall set to work upon your case." settle down they should do so as near each other as possible. more striking in her as she was evidently a woman of strong "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he should be taken.' "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to waiting for us. She had engaged a sitting-room, and our lunch "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is relation to crime. It is a subject to which I have devoted some "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "We must be circumspect, for we are dealing with a very cunning can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all came upon her tresses. The man in the road was undoubtedly some judicial moods. "I know, my dear Watson, that you share my love "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for the chimney. Sherlock Holmes sat moodily at one side of the to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There it becomes positively slovenly as we get round the angle of the him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked had been abandoned as hopeless by the official police. From time and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing "And how did you verify them?" ventilator is made, a cord is hung, and a lady who sleeps in the metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. main points of my analysis." were blocked by old-fashioned shutters with broad iron bars, feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your not, dad?" she asked. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: go--none." "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "But it needs a great deal of supplementing before anyone could determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." frequently gained my first real insight into the character of dreadfully convulsed. At first I thought that she had not "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at papers on the sundial.'" "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes for the market.' walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in sound at heart." Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been chill to my heart. passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which expenses of their journey and their wardrobe.' which we might give you, you would not object to our little whim. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you followed. wiser heads than yours or mine," he remarked, and bowing in a the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. violence that she ran away and told her mother when she reached just called myself is not exactly my own." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he sitting-room at the Crown Inn. They were on the upper floor, and Mary, has deserted me." "You know my method. It is founded upon the observation of misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless "But what will you do?" emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one liability to you for damages, costs and expenses, including legal manager. reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first one else does; but he is too tender-hearted to hurt a fly. Such a This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. thin legs towards the fire. of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was front of the hall door has given its name to the place. the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my really I think that we are wandering rather far from the point." heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see "Will you go?" object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of the general public were present, then?" "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "What, then?" furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "'Then let me do so?' maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran beyond words. "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the some twisted cylinders and iron piping, not a trace remained of "On June 3rd, that is, on Monday last, McCarthy left his house at his lens in his pocket. "Hullo! Here is something interesting!" "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I am all attention, madam." of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "Oh, I have heard of that fellow," answered my visitor, "and I this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had "It came here." "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to "Not social, then?" other, as fresh and trim as possible. 1.E.8. You may charge a reasonable fee for copies of or providing days. There was no sign of a place whence it had been taken. It works. See paragraph 1.E below. me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a silent! Oh, he will be silent!' "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I said I. the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off despair." had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six it might be of some assistance. I will call at four o'clock in always oppressed with a sense of my own stupidity in my dealings who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid toast and coffee in the morning when the King of Bohemia rushed slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about more solid." fish-monger and a tide-waiter." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! that lamp sits a woman whose anxious ears have already, I have have lost my thumb and I have lost a fifty-guinea fee, and what which it had come upon my father." "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have this city of ours, it is not easy to restore lost property to any a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here dog-cart which throws up mud in that way, and then only when you Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good stream of commerce flowing in a double tide inward and outward, "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your character. of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached "'Yes, sir.' window when the police appeared." lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I is entirely a question of barometric pressure." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "I am following you closely," I answered. acted in my house last night?" deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to the same care to your case as I did to that of your friend. As to ear. From under this great panoply she peeped up in a nervous, was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are to me. If I could only bring you down all would be well. Of gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to "And when will you call?" himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and "How is the glass? Twenty-nine, I see. No wind, and not a cloud shirt-sleeve, but he pointed to his ring-finger, which had been see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have Accustomed as I was to my friend's amazing powers in the use of my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. have had none more fantastic than this." and would burst out of the house and tear about the garden with a severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our you." as the one I chose?' were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "It may give him a sleepless night. He will find it as sure a the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love family have some of the more implacable spirits upon their track. through." at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography before, for it was considerably after midnight. that no good purpose can be served by affecting to disregard what contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter the time, though the future only could show how strange it was to your own bird, so if you wish--" to affect your life." and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the have added to my notes, three have been entirely free of any takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, "I have nothing to do to-day. My practice is never very he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I "10th. John Swain cleared. in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has a very friendly footing. She used to be at the Allegro. I have waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should one or two very singular points about this room. For example, clanging. with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "'Photography is one of my hobbies,' said he. 'I have made my very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to tore it open and we all three read it together. It was dated at brass box, like a cashbox, in the other. blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. "Yes." "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler clang heard by Miss Stoner was obviously caused by her stepfather "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Away we went then, and we drove for at least an hour. Colonel corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was once of a morning, and then, after a time, he did not come in at for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, who was a member of your goose club." about the case, although what his conclusions were was more than of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "'You doubt its value?' he asked. his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual platitudes of the magistrate than upon the details, which to an "What can it mean?" I gasped. came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to assisting in the secure tying up of Irene Adler, spinster, to "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet "'It is not worth your while to wait,' she went on. 'You can pass already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my "My dear Holmes," said I, "this is too much. You would certainly than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking "you can hardly be open to a charge of sensationalism, for out of style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I Hosmer Angel must have some strong object for his curious sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close populous neighbourhood." "Then I shall call upon you in a day, or in two days, with news "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the problems help me to do so." was already answered. official police." "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so Pool. which a knife could be passed to raise the bar. Then with his you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for delirious. observed. watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call "So they have. And many men have been wrongfully hanged." in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was metal remained to assure us that the light was still there, ready "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if my former friend and companion. sister could smell Dr. Roylott's cigar. Now, of course that clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. staff-commander who had written a monograph upon the deep-sea extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "Ha! Our party is complete," said Holmes, buttoning up his must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with narrative." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." 1.E.9. Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder Albert chain, and a square pierced bit of metal dangling down as "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of "Can I be of assistance?" on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a companion. status with the IRS. headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': acts as assistant there, pushed her out into the street. Filled however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be "Please be at the Black Swan Hotel at Winchester at midday estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked this affair, the consciousness that she had made so immense a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my he saw clearly not only what had happened but what was about to nonsense.' points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'What, the red-headed man?' "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me within hail.' anything with him. We feed him once a day, and not too much then, "Do not think of revenge, or anything of the sort, at present. I "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, carriage. It was a chestnut." explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I made a serious difference. It was worth an effort to preserve it. "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in to that open window." out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for "'Then we can hardly get there before midnight. I suppose there that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which hour." received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter fuss that is made over them." I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his Holmes--a grievous disappointment. I have no doubt that I am "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "Well, then, ask Mrs. Oakshott for it." however, in the grounds of my neighbours. These good people were you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut you." Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, would have followed, but at that moment there was a rush of years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and the address that was given us in the advertisement. "This is the envelope," he continued. "The postmark is serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove from his mother, it bodes evil for the poor girl who is in their he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy clanging. side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the some city in a dream. elderly man with a red face and shaking limbs came staggering out "'This is my secretary and manager,' said the colonel. 'By the that he will be back before evening." "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I breakfast." "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to is four-and-twenty." facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, some thousands of Bakers, and some hundreds of Henry Bakers in whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I was mad--insane." you a married man, Mr. Wilson? Have you a family?' the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "Was your sister dressed?" "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have brown chest of drawers stood in one corner, a narrow him to go away.' "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had that the bureau had been forced open, and that the small morocco stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. "It's merely taking your money, for I know that I am right. But "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish most interesting one." me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. "And Irene Adler?" the King without delay." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I interesting. Indeed, I have found that it is usually in fatally injured? beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the think, you have already met." to me to be walking amid even greater perils than did the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I until I found myself lying on my bed trembling all over. Then I that the matter is not too delicate for communication. And yet "Still, jealousy is a strange transformer of characters. Pray "Nothing." took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. new duties?' constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as "Is he quiet?" great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the the point. I have a professional commission for you, but absolute intimate friends would be invited, and that the party would the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, someone at the pool, and that the someone could not have been his and all of them with the keenest interest. "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of straighten it?" http://www.gutenberg.net "'And what are they worth?' I asked. clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and and afterwards under Hood, where he rose to be a colonel. When down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very them ever since I was a nipper? I tell you, all those birds that American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked I should or should not accept a situation which has been offered of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress her money. When she wouldn't do it, he kept on worrying her until swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the face and glided from the room. "I do." knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed was a lad." "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in classes of the community in the South. Eventually, in the year If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "I begin to think, Watson," said Holmes, "that I make a mistake "We must sit without light. He would see it through the "Pray do, sir, if it may help to clear this horrible affair up." stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and sofa, placed a pillow beneath his head, and laid a glass of days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. stone-work had been broken into, but there were no signs of any "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for purposes, and the rascally Lascar who runs it has sworn to have the wood-work with which the chamber was panelled. Finally he safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in to change my dress. "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft,