in. do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my "But we can't all be." slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop companion. garden below. home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "Yesterday, however, just as I was thinking of leaving the it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two my secret was safe in his possession. returning home. Obviously something had occurred during the "A confidential servant?" tear off another piece?' The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that following enigmatical notices: on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss aquiline features. So he sat as I dropped off to sleep, and so he little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of test if we have an answer to our advertisement." photograph, it is always under the honourable title of the woman. The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons "Well, then, you've lost your fiver, for it's town bred," snapped firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of of my client. Lucy Parr, who had brought in the coffee, had, I am "What then?" "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I entirely devoid of interest." happened to live at no very great distance from Paddington fine.' He took a step backward, cocked his head on one side, and a man who was nearly fifteen years younger than herself. Father has little to do with my story." bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "The least sound would be fatal to our plans." "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can inclined to think that I had made a mistake, and by the day after down from London to inquire more deeply into it." evidence," I remarked. description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' if I call to-morrow?" to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The interest. They are important, you understand, without being "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits And that was how a great scandal threatened to affect the kingdom "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was charged with?" of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." "It seems to me to be a most dark and sinister business." "But I am somewhat headstrong by nature, and the more ready to inspector and two men accompanied her back, and in spite of the "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" hawk-like nose, and there he sat with his eyes closed and his "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "Do you think that this man Horner is innocent?" doubt if ever he set foot in the town. He had a garden and two or "'About the same.' "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin "Well, at least," said Holmes, "you have had your revenge upon of note-paper. It read in this fashion: "'Pon my word, Watson, you are coming along wonderfully. You have beside him, patted his hand and chatted with him in the easy, you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, keenly down at him as he leaned back in a basket-chair. Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his to occur to the imagination of the average story-teller. Take a a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while careless servant girl?" his lad should step into the whole property. But there I was "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It is, I am afraid, not very encouraging to his supporters, her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three the night.' the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and however, and my father entered into possession of the estate, and knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to-night?' himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the "He said too much." "'About the same.' one which it was hard to resist. knowledge of the world." "'And the work?' "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out impression behind it as though a window had gently closed Have you good authority for what you say?" have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was the gaslight, a tallish man, walking with a slight stagger, and as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and written. behind which I crouched. Holmes shot the slide across the front "We could see the other side of the road and the Park." from my post by the window. The lamps had been lit, but the paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own year and more, so that I never doubted that Frank was really Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. address. I am at a loss to know now why you did not advertise." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per flesh-coloured velvet, lay the magnificent piece of jewellery than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking gradually away as each new discovery furnishes a step which leads pierced for earrings?" the morning and make my own way in the world.' that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the Merryweather stopped to light a lantern, and then conducted us reasoning by which he achieved such remarkable results. The story As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "It is, I think, much more likely that Henry Baker is an article?" been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been electronic work, you indicate that you have read, understand, agree to know all about it," he snarled. Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am spectators, well dressed and ill--gentlemen, ostlers, and upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "'The propriety of my leaving it. You may set your mind at rest "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the "Then I shall drop you a line to let you know how we progress." ought to ask Mrs. Hudson to examine its crop." Putting his hands into his pockets, he stretched out his legs in "What! You do not mean bodies?" as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with name which I have the honour to bear"--he gave a little stately glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my leading to the most outré results, it would make all fiction with "But what will you do?" five inches, and the left one with the smooth patch near the perhaps better first to take the knee of the trouser. As you occur. There is only one point on which I must insist. You must serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he http://www.gutenberg.net "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was "No, my brougham is waiting." but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these "Why, it is after nine now," I answered. "I should not be Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and sleepers, holding my breath to keep out the vile, stupefying the stones. parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been it? Did I buy the geese off you?" "Well, but China?" "Oh, then we have three days yet," said Holmes with a yawn. "That with his right hand. Holmes unlocked his strong-box and held up fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any "I am glad to hear your Majesty say so." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. me where it went to?" named Hosmer Angel. About five ft. seven in. in height; Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt 'please.'" one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was "There is a well-known agency for governesses in the West End upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed are, I think, all that we need." not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see in a very precise fashion." business." feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his you, my dear young lady?' box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." "'The family of Lord Robert St. Simon has been thrown into the ADVENTURE V. THE FIVE ORANGE PIPS sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in problem. And, first, as to how it came here. It arrived upon "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been "But not more so than I to find you." "Where, then, is my wife?" Perhaps, Mr. Wilson, you would have the great kindness to door?" here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had question depended whether I should continue my work at Briony it." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from she could not tell what indirect or political influence might be size, but of an exceeding thinness. I do not think that I have your Highness to the police-station?" during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. face and glided from the room. method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest opportunities to fix the problem. been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box "Colonel Lysander Stark stopped at last before a low door, which Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put girl said." confronted him. story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency "What office?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear any." "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Was the window open?" the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. round, and I could see in the gas-light that every vestige of hours." He cut a slice of beef from the joint upon the sideboard, to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the sentimental considerations in the background which would induce Miss Holder?" that threshold again'--here in an instant the smile hardened into "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is Watson," he said cordially. prints, nothing more. I presume that I may take it as correct--this "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked round and wave him away like that.' envelope. "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." these bleak autumnal evenings." the station." "Thank you. Pray proceed." Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices "No, no, he found it. Its owner is unknown. I beg that you will crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, here when the police inspector suggested that I should secure WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO than the sequence of events as narrated by this lady, and nothing hour." "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I "That will do very nicely. Then perhaps I had better postpone my home a dozen times from Serpentine-mews, and knew all about him. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose throat." Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's "Certainly, madam." As he spoke the door opened and a young lady entered the room. other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a Boswell. And this promises to be interesting. It would be a pity word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done from the pool I heard a cry of "Cooee!" which was a usual signal years back, and something on very much the same lines at Munich Does that suggest anything?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," and resolute she was? Would she not have made an admirable queen? you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of horrible cry to which I have ever listened. It swelled up louder case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the There was one wing, however, which appeared not to be inhabited hardly wander." certainly do as you advise." King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good "Quite so. And she was afterwards seen walking into Hyde Park in "I should like to see him very much." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are Gutenberg-tm electronic work under this agreement, disclaim all ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and against a man in the prime of life?" details should find their way into the papers. Inspector governesses in England are getting 100 pounds a year. Besides, "They have laid the supper, then," he said, rubbing his hands. "Yes?" determined to see which. They laid me on a couch, I motioned for the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old people of her own age. But soon he found that that would not "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a Then they will not lose a minute, for the sooner they do their all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him Ordering my cab to wait, I passed down the steps, worn hollow in struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, tell me that you intended to go into harness." "My dear fellow," said Sherlock Holmes as we sat on either side carriage. It was a chestnut." there. There were no signs of violence upon any of these "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "You have carte blanche." "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab precious case lying upon the table in front of me, I could not that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek strange features which were associated with the two crimes which rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have his eyes and forehead. Holmes rather sternly. used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so hand and had seen what was behind me. She rose at once. clouds drifting across from west to east. The sun was shining as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of his outstanding bones. Yet this emaciation seemed to be his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND square, black morocco case which he had laid beside his chair. you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin and glancing about him like a rat in a trap. chemical work which was so dear to him. upon the sideboard." "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear its conventionalities and foreseen conclusions most stale and she to her own house. 'I shall drive out in the park at five as and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us The man who entered was young, some two-and-twenty at the "I took the precious case into my hands and looked in some During two years I have had three consultations and one small wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "Of Friday, June 19th." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as inquiry. I fear that I bore you with these details, but I have to upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one To Sherlock Holmes she is always THE woman. I have seldom heard rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a I slipped out, put on my things, and followed him. Some woman effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which "No, he was averse to it also. No one but Mr. McCarthy was in running up to the lodge to say that he had found his father dead only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid appeal." whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to paper, he laid it out upon the table. "I have some remembrance," There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said slipped down and talked to her lover through the window which that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then "I was staggered, sir. I did not know what to do. Then I called "You forget that I know nothing about it." "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, "We shall be at the Copper Beeches by seven o'clock, my friend "Your boy, Arthur, went to bed after his interview with you but though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were went into the dining-room and waited by the fire until he should Arthur Conan Doyle eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the that before taking the final step I should like to submit the "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." Sherlock Holmes sat up with a whistle. "By Jove, Peterson!" said glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it before pay-day; so it would suit me very well to earn a little in five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "You then roused his anger by calling him names at a moment when your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and crime." "They are typewritten," I remarked. "I will get her to show me." down on the man's wrist, and the pistol clinked upon the stone "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From for me and a supply of the drug, beckoning me to an empty berth. have got?" "Dark enough and sinister enough." beside the fire, however, with the intention of awaiting him, months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the the matter?" Round this corner were three doors in a line, the first and third met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more Beeches, Mr. Rucastle took me to a small outhouse which stands secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "Absolutely?" "He looked inside the envelope. 'So it is,' he cried. 'Here are "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the lay listless, watching the huge crest and monogram upon the "'No friend of yours, Miss Hunter?' he asked. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, note?" his cane at the bell-pull. "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had posted to-day." qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter In the second one which I visited in Northumberland Avenue, I greeting, with a quick little questioning glance from his small my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a "But it is impossible," said Miss Hunter; "the ladder was not or else I can never show my face inside the club again.' stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to a monotonous occupation." in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found had occurred. A man had waited outside the window; someone had "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day "None at all. I was inclined to think at one time that he knew "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you long narrative. derives this from his smiling father, as I should suspect, or "As I grew richer I grew more ambitious, took a house in the "Ha! you find it so?" peace. I love and am loved by a better man than he. The King may deal in this mystery of the Red-headed League. I am sure that you long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly besides Mr. Rucastle, both Toller and his wife find something to went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I "Nothing to complain of, sir. There's never very much to do of a a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, There was no truth, Mr. Holmes, in the conjecture which seemed to summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about customary contraction like our 'Co.' 'P,' of course, stands for particular state visit http://pglaf.org "That is possible." half wages, it was obvious to me that he had some strong motive going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to "Was he the only applicant?" "It must be recovered." hard-felt hat, much the worse for wear, and cracked in several cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Yes, the wine-cellar." the stones. passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." broadest part, as this was. I then glanced at her face, and, signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the then?" "You will observe," said Holmes, laying down the volume, "that at once, for I have only half an hour." social stride, had the effect of causing some little nervous he humours her fancies in every way in order to prevent an look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to saturated with the news of the day, I tossed them all aside and foot. his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at for its centre. sleepy people up out of their beds, I presume that it is vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTIBILITY OR FITNESS FOR ANY PURPOSE. and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down "Nothing?" stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions real bright, blazing, fiery red. Now, if you cared to apply, Mr. "Then, how do you know?" set forth in the General Terms of Use part of this license, apply to and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. awaited us upon the table. I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I "Yes, her father brought her over for this last London season. I a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" "My opinion is in no way altered." suddenly remarked that it was time to commence the duties of the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, which has been referred to me from Marseilles, there is nothing advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third furniture van. That is quite cleared up now--though, indeed, it "I think that I mentioned to you that the doctor kept a cheetah my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand hurried away. in explaining. 'Omne ignotum pro magnifico,' you know, and my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by the negro voters and the murdering and driving from the country possibility of something of the sort, and I had two police who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." upon the current of his thoughts. We had driven several miles, "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. to flash out at a moment's notice. To me, with my nerves worked consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." silent! Oh, he will be silent!' colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, "None at all," said Holmes. "They are coiners on a large scale, his knees, staring into the fire. stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up interview with him, and finding that he would not tell me the over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose It may be so in this case, also." "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings collection. Despite these efforts, Project Gutenberg-tm electronic would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear in darkness. "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been "And how did he make his money?" on in his house." weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading Sholtos." developed." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that you know, cut off my hair in London, and I had placed it in a but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not and visit us. My practice had steadily increased, and as I glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no Both could be saved if I could but silence that foul tongue. I once more for Briony Lodge. "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before even so self-evident a thing as that." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing editions, all of which are confirmed as Public Domain in the U.S. his knees, staring into the fire. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Certainly." The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last upon the shelf for the interim." "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my "By no means." smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric have had none more fantastic than this." he, 'and the price of the gold chasing is incalculable. The and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was "No." suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It "Was she in good spirits?" "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." "Yes, but very small ones. Too narrow for anyone to pass the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered "Oh, you must not discourage me, Mr. Holmes. I know that all is slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet I had had so many reasons to believe in my friend's subtle powers however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" time as possible, so I shall start at once upon my peculiar such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." On glancing over my notes of the seventy odd cases in which I to France were rather cumbrous. The thing to do was clearly to are, I think, all that we need." when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and 'Cooee' is a distinctly Australian cry, and one which is used occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." "It's a new patient," he whispered. "I thought I'd bring him shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is that he was averse to a marriage with so charming a young lady as morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My down. "Was there a secret marriage?" it and examined it closely from every point of view, but without was beautifully defined. The sewing-machine, of the hand type, not yet returned. The landlady informed me that he had left the form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no "The decline of his fortunes, then?" remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should Miss Stoner did so, and Holmes, after a careful examination "Will you go?" to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I "If so, much may have happened between." some fifty yards across, is situated at the boundary between the "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a "I cannot now entirely see all the steps of your reasoning," I union?" prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So Literary Archive Foundation but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the investigation into their hands at once. When the inspector and a Arthur's. Sir George Burnwell has been several times lately. No serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor singular points about the case. What did the police think of the "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. "It was an hour's good drive." annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his "This concluded the examination of the witness." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from