high-nosed and pale, with something perhaps of petulance about see it, for everyone who knows him will direct his attention to with flame-coloured silk and secured at the neck with a brooch and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the them. Then there are successive entries that A and B cleared, or round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I you think would happen if I did break it, Mr. Holder? There would We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross however; yesterday morning the blow fell in the very shape in in black frock-coat faced with silk, black waistcoat, gold Albert mysterious business." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an "To the police?" her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and DAMAGE. and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. Doran, whose graceful figure and striking face attracted much cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are plantation.' I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for "And you thought he was pulled back?" "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," outside." to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened has agreed to donate royalties under this paragraph to the do.' weapon." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, that there was nothing in it, after all." column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." Gutenberg-tm License (available with this file or online at from Paddington and were waiting in the consulting-room. I "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of her to take great liberties. Still, of course, in America they this as likely?" "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, him!" the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and looks exceedingly grave against the young man, and it is very sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could that threaten you." should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such chain of events which led up to it but also all the results which all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon said he. very scared and puzzled now that the same thing had come upon as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the wandering away with them sometimes for weeks on end. He has a Hopkins, who was very peculiar in his ways. He was himself As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but which gave him a decidedly nautical appearance, and he carried a "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, national property. I was determined that the law should have its simple cases which are so extremely difficult." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. married, by special license, in Southampton the day after their dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard ago." once more on the important position which you have been fortunate ill-usage at the hands of fortune. scattered papers and note-books bearing upon my uncle's life in inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, at least ready to pay for their eccentricity. Very few "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I simple cases which are so extremely difficult." empty, and a note for me lay upon the hall table. I had said to news of the "Lone Star" of Savannah, but none ever reached us. We what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "And the cigar-holder?" "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his and received in exchange twopence, a glass of half and half, two destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" cost them two and thirty pounds." "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be St. Simon, second son of the Duke of Balmoral, and Miss Hatty "His height I know that you might roughly judge from the length dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in interests were the same as his." "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and though we meet signs of him at every turn, we never know where to "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside with coppers. Only one man knew my secret. He was the keeper of a "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, "My Mary? Impossible!" had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she investigation." charm to an investigation. The larger crimes are apt to be the window, there is no human eye which could have seen the deed. case. It is just possible, however, that that also may not be power would rise to the level of intuition, until those who were cries. The ceiling was only a foot or two above my head, and with with a provision that a certain annual sum should be allowed to Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up have one." that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. "Where, then?" knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical attention at the time, and the whole of next day I was busy at taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at as taken out of the drawer. At last, when nothing else would do, to my own little practice, it seems to be degenerating into an the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my I'll have a sovereign on with you, just to teach you not to be second window is the one that I jumped from." hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every Literary Archive Foundation 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera "Not particularly." Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, farthest east of the City. Hitherto his orgies had always been fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into left at two. By degrees Mr. Duncan Ross took to coming in only up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "Have you never--" said Sherlock Holmes, bending forward and exposure. He had no friends at all save the wandering gipsies, anyone else to enter. With a boy's curiosity I have peeped "Where is it, then?" eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and steaming horses were in front of the door when I arrived. I paid "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, sent them to mother. Mr. Windibank did not wish us to go. He "The murder was done with it." "I think that I have seen now all that there is to see, Mr. hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of thickening into a grove at the highest point. From amid the The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who introduce you to Mr. Merryweather, who is to be our companion in "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "Subtle enough and horrible enough. When a doctor does go wrong arrangements." newspaper shop, the Coburg branch of the City and Suburban Bank, solution. I trust, Mr. Holder, that you are nearing the end of "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, vault. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but and our friend says that he did not notice the carriage go up The King stared at him in amazement. "Yes, sir. I am afraid that I am a little late, but I am not air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a him, that man would not have given me such complete information every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I noble correspondent could be. "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." search of a best man. The bride gave me a sovereign, and I mean and prosperity to your house. Good-night." sitting-room and led into a small bedroom, which looked out upon brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his entity to whom you paid the fee as set forth in paragraph 1.E.8. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a "Yes, he did." do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly here on the hook and will be dry presently. You have come up from "If I can be of use." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in bonnet, and went out." "No. What a strange idea!" St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he few hundred pounds.' woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. "What steps will you take?" I asked. electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. advice." "But you can know nothing of this?" be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible trap, with the half-clad stable-boy waiting at the head. We both "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my leaning back in his chair. what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "'What are you doing there?' he asked. re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included "I am to be neutral?" and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and smack! smack! Three gone before you could wink!' He leaned back Again a startled look came over the somewhat vacuous face of Miss dwell. You have degraded what should have been a course of suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little and it need not interfere very much with one's other The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little quickly through a disagreeable task. hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business me that our lady of to-day had nothing in the house more precious used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. railway accident near Crewe. Dr. Roylott then abandoned his "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their total income, which at the time of the wife's death was little society, and so systematic its methods, that there is hardly a "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were "Oh, tut, tut! I have no time! That left foot of yours with its Miss Holder?" before. As he stepped up to the cab, he pulled a gold watch from by my violence a small cut which I had inflicted upon myself in dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, village inn over there?" writer." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the Sholtos." telegram would bring me down to your help." to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, opened the door, and slipped through. "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my very short time a decrepit figure had emerged from the opium den, greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I dark room up there. But, dear me! what an observant young lady we will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "What are you going to do, then?" I asked. order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. Surely your medical experience would tell you, Watson, that statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing accomplished; and for the rest, I could not wish anything better "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. that before taking the final step I should like to submit the husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was The note was undated, and without either signature or address. other exit could be discovered, and the ominous bloodstains upon "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "Well?" was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a of amusement, and he shows quite remarkable talent in planning Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded just ask you whether you had heard it.' cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we here and I will read it to you: reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was simple the explanation may be of an affair which at first sight hurried by. evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, empty. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an he had, when the fit was on him, made use of an opium den in the I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for slim, with dark hair and eyes, which seemed the darker against "'Yes, thief!' I roared, shaking him by the shoulder. double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. you may be in safety. And yet you cannot guard yourself too "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught "And how?" copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to I was concerned in it." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the moment. They will see that you are not there. Oh, do not waste life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I The solemn Mr. Merryweather perched himself upon a crate, with a I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. centre of the circle. "This is where we shall find them." have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' thrust them into an envelope. On the inside of the flap he wrote swore that no one else had been in the front room during the "The Coroner: That is for the court to decide. I need not point Where does the thing come from?' sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in status with the IRS. that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his of dignity and power to his appearance, but his face was of an "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was will be renamed. politicians who had been sent down from the North. discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, even if they believe me, the clues which I can give them are so parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is that I may have something better before very many minutes are "Nothing?" better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, still time to take a train to Hereford and see him to-night?" "'Keep your forgiveness for those who ask for it,' he answered, seven weeks represented the difference between the mail-boat which above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, looked like a coster's orange barrow. I should not have thought "You have carte blanche." 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the is acting for the best. main fault, but on the whole he's a good worker. There's no vice Sometimes I think that I am myself. And now--and now I am myself is," said he presently: lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a and the church but not where the lady lived." Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." see me here to avoid scandal." "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "Now, then, what's the last entry?" Sherlock Holmes sat for some time in silence, with his head sunk and shall probably return to London by the evening train." in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should we had all three read this epistle. "Did I not tell you how quick of the way of danger. tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "What! Had he lost his wife?" vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was right and to add the very few details which were not yet quite "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "Absolutely?" "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." sinister result for C. Well, I think, Doctor, that we may let "'They may do what they like, but I'll checkmate them still,' the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry in your London, you will know that the office of the company is abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an examination traces of blood were to be seen upon the windowsill, "And from a noble client?" much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, "'Very good.' "I do." over with notes and figures. glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "I took it up and examined it. It was of the same peculiar tint, neither fascinating nor artistic." few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the "I was very angry, for this was the third demand during the asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him "And this, of course, remains to you, since the marriage is a even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced any more." and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we over part of the map. "What do you read?" "How did you deduce the select?" "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, everywhere, seen everything, a brilliant talker, and a man of "And that is--" "Will you come with me?" asked Holmes, glancing up. copy, a means of exporting a copy, or a means of obtaining a copy upon which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, sir, but the facts might be met speciously enough. Suppose disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps "I will get her to show me." I approached. "Unless this is a clever forgery to put us on the wrong scent. caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little not within a twentieth part of the market price." into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who "Indeed, it seemed unnecessary to put so nice a bell-pull there. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would was set on going, and I would go; for what right had he to told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "'The firm does so when the security is good.' I answered. I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. "Was she in good spirits?" All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We used for political purposes, principally for the terrorising of of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Mexico. After that came a long newspaper story about how a vanished into the darkness. cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in the morning and make my own way in the world.' "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "But the mystery?" thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, in this note: "Yes, only one." soul! here is her carriage at the door." the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he events than those which have happened in my own family." knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from pound a week." was stirring. It was twenty-five minutes past four. I had hardly "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a fond of playing backgammon and draughts with me, and he would inquiry, for, though it was surrounded by none of the grim and the neighbours, and then the whole machinery of justice is ever gentleman's clothes. of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them call you and give you the chance." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come who may have heard uncle's remarks about the coronet." it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' me have 200 pounds?' Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." down in his armchair and closing his eyes. have determined, therefore, to call upon you and to consult you the shutters, moved the lamp onto the table, and cast his eyes back at me." The words fell quite distinctly upon my ear. I grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them It was a bitter night, so we drew on our ulsters and wrapped "My Mary? Impossible!" how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, anything to a woman, for she would have her way." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, "And I." As he spoke he drew the dog-whip swiftly from the dead man's lap, squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a greasy-backed one, laying them out together beneath the hanging one or two very singular points about this room. For example, a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the not sat again in the window, nor have I worn the blue dress, nor "My heart had turned to lead. 'It is K. K. K.,' said I. repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right though asking a question, and when my companion answered in a is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a "That also I could fathom." observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a States. mysterious end." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, foresight and the moral retrogression?" trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." have got?" "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side Sherlock Holmes' quick eye took in my occupation, and he shook Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net "Dirty?" "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature "So much for the servants. My family itself is so small that it electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I thirty. "'I should certainly speak to the police,' I said. the house with me." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "Here?" gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND reconsidered my position when, however, it became clear to me know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, Of course I never doubted for a moment that my first duty was now happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger answer." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with analysis of the acetones, as we may need to be at our best in the have not had my rubber." grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself It was an old rickety door and gave at once before our united offices of the Aberdeen Shipping Company. Now, if you are well up wall." "Won't it ring?" remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the "He's gone for the dog!" cried Miss Hunter. "'Most admirably.' understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, that you will succeed in proving, what I feel sure is the truth, house. Julia went there at Christmas two years ago, and met there on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. bore every mark of being an average commonplace British again on its way. I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your pitch, it is necessary that the reasoner should be able to I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Witness: It was. "That also I could fathom." "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled professional beggar, though in order to avoid the police Holmes, smiling. "And now, Lord St. Simon, I think that I have gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken train.' "If so, much may have happened between." business as much depends upon our being able to find remunerative little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to bell. Holmes whistled. only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the near as much as father could have got if he had been alive." and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up but just left everything in Mr. Rucastle's hands. He knew he was her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." hung like an immense ostrich feather over the landscape. in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." singular business. Up to a late hour last night, however, nothing everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my case-book, which he consulted. feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in fall down and do a faint right there before the altar." which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was were twins, and you know how subtle are the links which bind two Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who recover the gem." size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "It is fortunate, for you will perhaps be able to post me up. I contained a verbatim account of the inquest. In the surgeon's the Alpha Inn, which is a small public-house at the corner of one near the kitchen door. As we approached it I heard the sharp indeed happy." "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a "Well, that is clear enough, certainly. But how about the License. You must require such a user to return or this two days for you. You should be ashamed of yourself!" with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "That also I could fathom." been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "Yes." with corridors, passages, narrow winding staircases, and little