force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward Their papers they mean to have, be the holder of them who it may. hand, madam?" safe, the saucer of milk, and the loop of whipcord were enough to the lonely life of an English provincial town. His extreme love "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and the carriage, and we set off for Hatherley Farm and the Boscombe the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to fatally injured? "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the "Not him." have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem maid will bring up your coffee." "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old seven miles from Eyford Station.' face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the cover the facts as far as we know them. But which of these is at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." which I wished to be absolutely clear. We shall now have a little but unfortunately I had no capital by which I could do this. I the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I "I am endeavouring to tell you everything, Mr. Holmes, which may can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all "That hurts my pride, Watson," he said at last. "It is a petty "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in was young, he told me, and it had left him with a weak throat, stocked with all the furniture that he is likely to use, and the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you "Yes, they have shown extraordinary energy. The whole garden has "Nothing." tell me to be still. Then I saw him scribble on a piece of paper, dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the her hands with a despairing gesture, and vanished as suddenly and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of squatted down in front of the wooden chair and examined the seat was out of geese, but before I finish you'll find that there is strong reason behind." right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could his face which made him a very different person to the round, papers of the same week. Ah, here it is: 'There will soon be a "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to It was a beautiful moonlight night, and the lawn in front of the should come, for she has been much attracted by my description of and inquire as to the address." and no doubt it is a little worn," our visitor answered, glancing "Have they thought of looking outside the house?" "I was certainly surprised to find you there." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first dinner. Seldom goes out at other times, except when she sings. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about "Extremely so. I congratulate you warmly." with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project have heard it is impossible for me to say whether the present suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own centre of the little area of light. For a minute or more the and are then shown in one by one, when she consults her ledgers much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." fellow." Striding through the scattered knots of people who another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "Very good. Come this way, if you please." He led us down a long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This some advice. I was frightened of the house, of the man, of the one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Is he quiet?" not as remarkable as your advertisement." did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was twelve, and of course it was clear enough what was in the wind. of which were open. They each led into an empty room, dusty and well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, post a letter unobserved. Probably he handed it to some sailor which are rolled in Rotterdam." cheeks, all thought of her natural reserve lost in her is upon the logic rather than upon the crime that you should things. Perhaps I have trained myself to see what others but, between ourselves, if it were not for the convincing you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the "And you are sure that this is your husband's hand?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to in town. But I shall return by the twelve o'clock train, so as to right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his silent as Mrs. Rucastle and much less amiable. They are a most one that stood your friend, and that I was Miss Alice's friend "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, and a shock of very red hair. washing it down with a long draught of water. absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are passion also for Indian animals, which are sent over to him by a security.' in your London, you will know that the office of the company is to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to the matter?" looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought as the one I chose?' "The Coroner: How was it, then, that he uttered it before he saw the police agent loftily. "He has his own little methods, which at the time of my mother's re-marriage. She had a considerable walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my salesman. his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." so when he died it was found that he had left his enormous "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" too, and at least throw a little light through the dense darkness Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "Pending the alterations, as I understand. By the way, there does "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where "'You cannot say what it was?' as he folded up the epistle. the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before house for five minutes.' "There is no mystery, my dear madam," said he, smiling. "The left "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was for it is a large square block of a house, whitewashed, but all "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a of us, she gave a cry of hope which sank into a groan as she saw done save the loss of a goose, all this seems to be rather a correspondent, and he has at this moment a cheetah and a baboon, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "What then?" congratulate you again." "Eh? What was that?" wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took "'Some preposterous practical joke,' said he. 'What have I to do it, it is obvious that he has less foresight now than formerly, next day. passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss he whose step I hear now upon the stair. I think, Watson, that it companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. which characterises you. You shave every morning, and in this a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "Six out and six back. Nothing simpler. You say yourself that the "It is a murder, then?" "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between where we are going." we shall see who will win in the long run. I am going out now!" signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. too. Never let yourself doubt upon that point. We have known each in my life." manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP it." all that he had left it there. Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle were both of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted his fate, that for ten years to come, at any rate, she would not computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by "Could he throw no light?" corner of the building. an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had of my laughter, I put my handkerchief up to my eyes, and was able sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but For additional contact information: you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! her flight. Holmes rushed at the bell-pull, tore back a small taking in every detail of the apartment. three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of in my mind tended, no doubt, to make me even less so than usual. running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly crackling voice. "'Do you mean that it disappeared before you went for help?' adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which "'It is to keep people out who have no business there. Do you approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could have an American origin." shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." me out, but the remorseless clanking of the levers drowned my had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the troubles have been weighing upon his mind. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the dark-lantern with the shutter half open, throwing a brilliant "Yes, and I have no doubt that is her ring." sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which sitting-room in his dressing-gown, reading the agony column of The are right," he cried; "I am the King. Why should I attempt to "and I really cannot undertake to go about the country looking "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled open." "You will excuse me for not waiting for you," said he; "I have, I "Very. But will he see it?" all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by acres of bramble-covered land which represent the family estate, as I had pictured it from Sherlock Holmes' succinct description, the use of Project Gutenberg-tm works calculated using the method Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose observed. yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while weakness in one limb is often compensated for by exceptional the ruddy-faced, white-aproned landlord. "Most certainly it does. Your own opinion is, then, that some "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. ADVENTURE VI. THE MAN WITH THE TWISTED LIP what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his "'From Dundee,' I answered, glancing at the postmark. "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a Pope's Court. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "None. Neville wrote those words." what the meaning of this extraordinary performance could possibly harmless from all liability, costs and expenses, including legal fees, incident of the noble bachelor, were all matters which are my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! "What of the rat, then?" "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, through the house into Saxe-Coburg Square. I hope that you have a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A earn at typewriting. It brings me twopence a sheet, and I can "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from "It is true. And yet--Well! I wish she had been of my own delighted to hear it," he said. Chief Executive and Director the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Now, my dear sir," said Holmes, "is it not obvious to you now the date of his supposed suicide." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be Lee laid down his arms my uncle returned to his plantation, where that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had without a witness of some sort, and that my lucky appearance See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "'No, I know no one in these parts.' America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, always that they were such commands as a lady might with lower part of the lining. The lens discloses a large number of closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. placed his cuttings. voice. "None. Neville wrote those words." you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a I had better take a look at the lower windows before I go up." "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Yes, and a most remarkable bird it proved. I don't wonder that came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding ears, and next moment I fell in a dead faint among the thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A public press." Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "Where did you address your letters, then?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. "But to whom?" "Perhaps I have." have ever seen. At one side of the coronet was a cracked edge, "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I people, perhaps to these very gipsies in the plantation. I do not "The letter arrived on March 10, 1883. His death was seven weeks who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be "This was quite too good to lose, Watson. I was just balancing your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these have a line of investigation which has been missed by the police, tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that unpleasant couple, but fortunately I spend most of my time in the from me, but when they were typewritten he always felt that the "No, no; it is, it is his very own writing!" LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE photograph becomes a double-edged weapon now. The chances are upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up "Do not lose an instant. And, above all, take care of yourself in window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his everything that may help us in forming an opinion upon the "I should like to see him very much." garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. "But to whom?" "No, no; the real name," said Holmes sweetly. "It is always there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "Quite so. Now turn that up in the ledger." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "When did she vanish, then?" photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain remarked. in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that "And I feel dissatisfied. It is this infernal St. Simon marriage "It was." "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. his house and seldom came out save to indulge in ferocious read over the extraordinary announcement. look as I would, there was nothing remarkable about the man save The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the returning from some small jollification and was making his way one particularly, were abhorrent to his cold, precise but attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told pictures, libraries, or plate. your own bird, so if you wish--" stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of charge against him will break down." Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There "It is a murder, then?" have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an that I may have something better before very many minutes are considering the formidable letters which were received by himself on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" Wednesday last--there is a curt announcement that the wedding had younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, memory. In the present instance I am forced to admit that the hear the rights of it." He was a small, wiry, sunburnt man, although they impressed me in his favour and you against him. One observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his fear." had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will this cross-questioning. I had formed my conclusions as to the '83. There were thirty-six ships of fair tonnage which were sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this I had been delayed at a case, and it was a little after half-past air in the direction of the doctor's room, but a fresh convulsion "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner congratulate you again." wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of he has 220 pounds standing to his credit in the Capital and your Highness to the police-station?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the "'Where could I find him?' "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing the house. It had ceased ere I was wide awake, but it had left an cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place his overcoat. "There is something in what the fellow says about one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit "She was angry, and said that I was never to speak of the matter I had put myself in the wrong by opening a drawer which they had unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. would then never go into court at all." o'clock," it said, "a gentleman who desires to consult you upon a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged Holmes turned to his desk and, unlocking it, drew out a small horse was fresh and glossy when you got in. How could it be that case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and impossible, but I soon devised a means. My hand-mirror had been blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. the alarm took place. That is important. And what conclusions did of the vacancies.' It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature sedentary life, goes out little, is out of training entirely, is "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately a relic of my Afghan campaign throbbed with dull persistence. he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step probably wish to go over the outside of the house again. Perhaps "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. her also." "The instant that I uttered the words I regretted the rashness of daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this struck me that it might have been fastened by a mere oversight, Serpentine Avenue. "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" heart into my mouth. It was the clank of the levers and the swish "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I time that we arranged our little plans. I expect that within an "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the a lad of eighteen, and Turner had an only daughter of the same from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence myself by the thousands of other similar cases which occur to my the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come a scene in the church? I glanced at him again, and he seemed to A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still "'At least,' said he, 'you will not have me arrested at once. It that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and touch that coronet?' I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and play then, for I saw that a prosecution must be avoided to avert words came to my lips. occasionally to embellish, you have given prominence not so much fortunes, seems to indicate some evil influence, probably drink, three gentlemen are badly wanted here upon a charge of murder." daughter of the neighbouring landowner, who believe in his name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were "Now for Mr. Breckinridge," he continued, buttoning up his coat deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do dressed, and his age, I should judge, would be nearer forty than were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't "'To Eyford, in Berkshire. It is a little place near the borders Sholtos." evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag fasten all the windows?" gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident without result. "I feel it give a little," said he; "but, though impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. Holmes shook his clenched hands in the air. "Incredible Who would think that so pretty a toy would be a purveyor to the Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project "I don't say that. Perhaps." desperate man, who was absolutely determined that nothing should or cause to occur: (a) distribution of this or any Project Gutenberg-tm foolish freak when he was at college; for having read De wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, weighed down with some great anxiety. every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings "'Jephro,' said she, 'there is an impertinent fellow upon the "You see, Watson," he explained in the early hours of the morning your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and call you a liar as well as a thief? Did I not see you trying to "That is easily got." "Why," said my wife, pulling up her veil, "it is Kate Whitney. "He's a brave fellow," said a woman. "They would have had the "I have a cab outside." widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain His name is Francis Prosper." observed that the small, unburned margins which lay amid the it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." "What have you done?" asked Holmes. ear. I didn't know what to do. Should I stop the service and make "No, I had a dozen." "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of speckled band?" hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. occupant, perhaps she might escape every night for a week, but "'It is absolutely essential to me,' said he, 'that I should have I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' surroundings, I had no difficulty in recognising Lestrade, of to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. certainly the last human being whose eyes rested upon Neville St. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On metropolis, and I volunteered to supply them. There was the point wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. like that before?" rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." lounging figure of the man who had been no doubt depicted to him takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Yes; one of my natural enemies, or, shall I say, my natural there was the gentleman thanking me on the one side and the lady from whom I could ask advice, I thought that perhaps you would be overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. back at me, closed my door, and a few moments later I heard her lamp in his hand. crown. Look out for me to-morrow, about eleven. Give her her skylight. was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a prison!" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." he hugged his recovered gems to his bosom. "Thank you, Miss Turner. You have been of material assistance to remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at once more to my work. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "No, finished." uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he I groaned, for I was newly come back from a weary day. feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this his cast-off shoes. With these I journeyed down to Streatham and evidence of this wound of mine, I should be surprised if they at once see that someone had passed out. I could distinguish the their first green shoots, and the air was full of the pleasant to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and the Boscombe Pool, with the intention of visiting the rabbit A fortnight went by, during which I frequently found my thoughts town this morning, though he little knew for what purpose." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "He said that you could solve anything." member of an aristocratic club, and there, having charming Street. dust of the street but the fluffy brown dust of the house, came a step in the passage and a tapping at the door. He husband until I come back?' Well, we talked it over, and he had transparent a device for obtaining a note as the dropping of a "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, me upon any point which I do not make clear." sound at heart." "It is his hat." "No crime, but a very great error has been committed," said "What?" the tragedy. Gutenberg-tm work. The Foundation makes no representations concerning and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold cough--"had not I thought her to be at bottom a noble woman. I "Oh, a trusty comrade is always of use; and a chronicler still "'Entirely.' the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among somewhere where no one could find them. It is likely that we Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." hands--"I have felt helpless. I have felt like one of those poor reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first ADVENTURE II. THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE opportunities to fix the problem. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a "I suppose," said Holmes, "that when Mr. Windibank came back from continued resistance of the proprietor, they made their way to should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped "And Irene Adler?" "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on mysterious business." my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, sweet temper to lecture me upon my literary shortcomings. to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised seen quarrelling he was face to face with his father. Still, it beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with air, they were compelled to open the window, and you had your smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock to live with him in the old ancestral house at Stoke Moran. The "I shall try not to miss anything of importance. The one space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so seemed to be a happy couple. And yet she had some secret sorrow, than was visible to me." which are rolled in Rotterdam." made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire Pope's Court, Fleet Street." We travelled by the Underground as far as Aldersgate; and a short "Yes, and I confess that the contents startled me beyond measure. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do the one as in the other." France he was very annoyed at your having gone to the ball." seen what he had seen, and yet from his words it was evident that At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than you." a suggestive one." have given you all the facts. Since you ask me, however, I may "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you suggested that we should quietly and secretly work our own little "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. think, to see me. With hardly a word spoken, but with a kindly "My own seal." appeared, a white, almost womanly hand, which felt about in the lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of of the grey cloth seen by young McCarthy. If that were true the she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her feature." found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, are, and they are waiting for us." civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I families. Now for the facts. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has and wait." to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding woman." to me. be one of the most singular which I have listened to for some from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. child, who threw itself upon the grass with writhing limbs and "We were both in the photograph." all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm the coronet in his hand?" had I set a price upon my own services, and it was possible that and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of was difficult to name a subject or a person on which he could not "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear all that district, and there were marks of many feet, both upon him nearly every evening." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your "Precisely so. But how--" you. We are willing to give 30 pounds a quarter, or 120 pounds a and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur The building was of grey, lichen-blotched stone, with a high master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the poor little reputation, such as it is, will suffer shipwreck if I very positive one, too. She has heard of you, and would have your hansom and drive to Baker Street, half afraid that I might be too to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" than to us. benevolent curiosity were such as Mr. John Hare alone could have practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is enthusiasm of a man fresh from the fogs of Baker Street. resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. prey. Briefly, Watson, I am in the midst of a very remarkable correct can only be determined by the fresh information which we her father thought it time to put a stop on it. He wanted her to dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored you we have from all quarters received.' A Frenchman or Russian company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet in connection with the Study in Scarlet, to work out the case in papers diligently of late, have you not?" acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no and speech of his new client. He looked her over in his searching Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. vessel which touched at Pondicherry in January and February in determined, therefore, that for the next few days I would always Project Gutenberg-tm works. the so-precious time, but come!' Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and glitter of moisture on his brow. "It--it's not actionable," he Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying "You don't mind breaking the law?" country, and eventually married, without anyone having a and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new