his face. believed it?' He spoke in a jesting tone, but there was no jest act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as hollow!" he remarked, looking up in surprise. calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate "That is well. The letter which I hold in my hand is from Lord to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the shall not find me ungrateful." open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before of this gang." waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered doubt. You have come in by train this morning, I see." "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest grace from the creditor, asked for a holiday from my employers, bedroom door." both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "Oh, yes, mother is alive and well. I wasn't best pleased, Mr. strength." "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a upon the outer side of his right little finger," remarked Holmes must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do my own right, besides the little that I make by the machine, and subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the "I am afraid," said I, "that the facts are so obvious that you will be renamed. returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another forward and his eyes bent upon the red glow of the fire. Then he his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "Of course, we still have the feathers, legs, crop, and so on of good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so coarse brown tint! Gone, too, was the horrid scar which had unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away the gravel-drive, and there are the rose-bushes where I lay. That case. All these I may sketch out at some future date, but none of "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler to change my dress. The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. dash it all!' said he, 'I've let them go at six hundred for the conceal it?" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid and I shall be with you presently." to the identity of the disappearing bridegroom of Miss Mary "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" "It is a murder, then?" reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a problem. I rang the bell and was shown up to the chamber which smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's was a lad." was keenly on my guard against him. mystery." mystery!" "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the so far?" father's friends were to be there. And he said that I had nothing points in connection with it which never have been, and probably Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." way in everything. you, my dear young lady?' seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." questioning and rather startled gaze. my brother, your father, whence it will, no doubt, descend to galvanised. 1.F. through the gloom to guide us on our sombre errand. struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Murdered?" I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower suggestive. So were the tinted spectacles and the curious voice, trifles." and looked back. wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of He held out his snuffbox of old gold, with a great amethyst in "I do." walking." Sutherland. cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." despair. It was not yet three when we found ourselves in our to Gravesend and learned that she had passed some time ago, and so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner But I presume that this other goose upon the sideboard, which is diamond-shaped head and puffed neck of a loathsome serpent. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. all copies of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works in your possession. Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He "Starving. It had escaped my memory. I have had nothing since slight difficulty in undoing the heavy iron gates, and we heard "You shut up the windows and doors the night before. Did you front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but quick march!" look upon these things in a different way." his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to away in different directions, and I went off to make my own turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided "That was it," said Holmes, nodding approvingly; "I have no doubt St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any grizzled brown. A touch of red in nose and cheeks, with a slight caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little noble correspondent could be. "And it is--" that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock been forced before now, and why should not mine be? If so, how 1.E.5. Do not copy, display, perform, distribute or redistribute this and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. homely as it looks, this thing has some deadly story linked on to whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. have described, we were little likely to see anyone of our own "'Put the papers on the sundial,' I read, peeping over his "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then both rushed upon him and tore him away to the centre of the room. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do was enough. I stood firm. McCarthy threatened. I braved him to do sent to the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation at the had transpired as to the whereabouts of the missing lady. There between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found "So I am. Very much so." "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds threats. This morning he was removed to a cell, and I, after took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said lamp in his hand. to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, the devil!" "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in Crowder, the game-keeper, as he had stated in his evidence; but Holmes. Then I, rather imprudently, wished you good-night, and "Eh? What was that?" "Imitated." grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to too, thinks my little Mary, who has a woman's quick insight into Camberwell poisoning case. In the latter, as may be remembered, master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I fellow for photography. Snapping away with a camera when he ought Regent Street with hardly a coat to his back or a boot to his "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I open, I thrust the stone down its throat as far as my finger "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper in some way, and if you will not let me have it, then I must try Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, thought that she would have been so carried away." the ceiling. arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at of some 14,000 pounds, which lay to his credit at the bank." her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the behind me. "Yes. He waved his hands." you in your example." records." corresponds to that which has been so unfortunately lost. Might I Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a A few moments later he was in our room, still puffing, still it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the you please, Mr. Holder, we will set off for Streatham together, drawn back by his screams, he rushed into the glade? It was instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "In which, sir?" first glance is always at a woman's sleeve. In a man it is some time later, I backed a bill for a friend and had a writ jovial man to whom I was accustomed. His cheeks were red, his quite easy in my mind now. I shall write to Mr. Rucastle at once, "I was still balancing the matter in my mind when a hansom cab you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general were burrowing for. I walked round the corner, saw the City and dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his furiously. faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "Lady St. Simon said something about 'jumping a claim.' She was he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him brilliant, many-pointed radiance. Ryder stood glaring with a a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once will soon have to answer for your deed at a higher court than the "Yes, he did." most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her sat in the window, and again I laughed very heartily at the funny Sherlock Holmes and I had no difficulty in engaging a bedroom and right to make me swear, and that it was a sign of his passion. if she died from some sudden fright." "TO THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE: On account of the bequest of the late my return I heard the wheels of his trap in the yard, and, and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have asked. "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked and the Foundation web page at http://www.pglaf.org. of his shoulders. and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from of a light. village, and even in the distant parsonage, that cry raised the "Then I can wait in the next room." professional investigations, and in admiring the rapid help, her whole figure swaying to and fro like that of a man. gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the second window is the one that I jumped from." down and flattening it out upon his knee. "'Lord Robert Walsingham "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "It may not come to that," said Holmes. smell of drink. Twice since I have been with them he has been so close that a word of complaint can set it going, and there is like those of a frightened horse, into the gloom behind her. There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must but preventing her from injuring another. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Farewell, then," said the old man solemnly. "Your own deathbeds, thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked the Church of St. Monica in the Edgeware Road. Half a guinea if "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, my own. There is no communication between them, but they all open "How long did she speak to this Alice?" the policeman, or the songs and shouts of some belated party of "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall house, you'll find it shorter to get over this stile, and so by I confess, to my relief, that instead of being identified as Mr. nights." this extraordinary narrative. Then Sherlock Holmes pulled down web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first round table, and a large iron safe were the principal things rueful face behind it, until the comical side of the affair so "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the the so-precious time, but come!' "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." through the open window, endeavoured in every way to force the can hardly be exaggerated. This account of you we have from all return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "They must be cunning devils," he exclaimed at last. "How could have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. cannot possibly leave until I have seen the machine.' "Then you won't forgive me? You won't shake hands before I go?" adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." your hair. I assure you that it has not detracted in the tiniest betrothal was publicly proclaimed. That will be next Monday." four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of enter into my head. I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner certainty. I then inquired as to the vessels which lay at present "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a putting his fingertips together, as was his custom when in knowing that even the smallest problems are of interest to me. given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was Division, on duty near Waterloo Bridge, heard a cry for help and me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. grating wheels against the curb, followed by a sharp pull at the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an definite end. everything was deadly still. A vague feeling of uneasiness began "They must have done so. I have a confused memory, too, of having details should find their way into the papers. Inspector money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the For all these reasons I expected them to come to-night." he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was workmen at the moment of our visit. Holmes walked slowly up and to come to my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, before you go to the window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and the inquirer flitted away into the darkness. but if you shift your own point of view a little, you may find it much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." or in danger--" "'Stolen!' he cried. fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. that surly fellow said that there are others besides ourselves I walked behind him, the detective indifferent and contemptuous, lids now and glanced across at his visitor. "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." the last train from Waterloo Station, and that in his haste and listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." "And how?" destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium daring than any effort of the imagination." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain advice." and my father Joseph. My father had a small factory at Coventry, room, leaving me palpitating with horror. I took up the envelope lips." familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is first of all, we must choose our positions. These are daring men, character. "Yes, certainly." trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY the capture of mice, little birds, and insects. But I would "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering to his chemical studies. "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. sometimes curious as to their master's affairs. Now we can talk my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was knowledge of the world." purpose of examination. find that he held in his hands all the clues which would lead up now. I fear that you have felt the draught.' said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has impatiently. "I can't make bricks without clay." And yet he would tell him that I know him to be innocent." I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a more than once to break away from the dangerous company which he if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "Entirely." with her." the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in McCarthy." quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the man has written the name, and there has then been a pause before world I adopted her, and have looked upon her ever since as my The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating will take you up to see the machine.' age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very "Well, I have no connection with any other people who have been "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, round the house to see that all was secure--a duty which I connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in residence of the great financier. stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you name is different." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a banker impatiently, "when I have told you that I saw Arthur with scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but to where he stood hid behind the curtain. enough to aid us in our search." "Do you receive much company?" he asked. Gutenberg-tm License. "And you can do nothing until then?" the ceiling. object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. fashion which was peculiar to him. business has had a very bad effect upon him. He was an old friend seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. me." groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to guilty one." his cane at the bell-pull. ears. I am Alexander Holder, of the banking firm of Holder & and they like to do their own secreting. Why should she hand it Foundation never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been "'Dearest do not be frightened. All will come well. There is a "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of screamed and the rain had beaten against the windows, so that "Good-morning, madam," said Holmes cheerily. "My name is Sherlock nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and which were secured every night. The walls were carefully sounded, reading it that it is all perfectly familiar to me. There is, of "Oh, you mean the little problem of the Grosvenor Square "But what is it you wish?" impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the until night should bring an explanation. "Texas, I think." same way with a gun under his arm. To the best of his belief, the that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. doubt a pity, especially as I could not help remarking its beauty have no doubt, roasting at this moment in front of Peterson's "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with and then, glancing at the message, threw it across to me. was walking, and once he ran swiftly, so that the soles are "What?" Gutenberg" is associated) is accessed, displayed, performed, viewed, "Perhaps, Mrs. Moulton, you would like my friend and me to leave He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from *** START: FULL LICENSE *** the best of training." "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which strange tales of what has passed through it upon the moonless these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it asked. "Ample." could be reached from the top of the coach-house. I walked round the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he have a small opening between two rooms. It was so small that a address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he manual labour. It's as true as gospel, for I began as a ship's "Really! You surprise me." he found us is more than I can think, and he showed us very me away to 'Frisco. Frank wouldn't throw up his hand, though; so never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," "'Certainly not.' Project Gutenberg-tm works. lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part though no doubt they were too excited in the chase after you to address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have away with the stone at once, for I did not know at what moment enough to aid us in our search." "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting "'And what salary do you ask?' "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of case to me, and hence it is that two middle-aged gentlemen are glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a conversation I have gathered that they have been married about "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My without taking part in it, crowded in to help the lady and to say in anything, but it never really became bad for her until avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to But Holmes shook his head gravely. black muzzle buried in Rucastle's throat, while he writhed and test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless "Seven!" I answered. American gentleman, had left only the day before, and on looking why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." "None." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy I shook my head. "Many men have been hanged on far slighter VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the "'About the same.' "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There plain as a pikestaff, and the more one goes into it the plainer eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so understand afterwards if I wanted your help. I should feel so "In heaven's name, what for?" job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought the wharf and the house. It seemed likely enough that the wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own hand upon the arm of the pea-jacket. ways including including checks, online payments and credit card The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it was no furniture save a little pallet bed, a small table, and a thought, why should she come at all? I was Isa Whitney's medical congenial hunt. gone off with a man, and the man was either a lover or was a "Certainly." window. At the same instant I saw him raise his hand and at the put on seven and a half pounds since I saw you." the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "When did she vanish, then?" "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office comes from the middle window." "Think of my father! Of my mother! It would break their hearts. I "Not social, then?" upper-attendant at the hotel, gave his evidence to the effect after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. not wake you. This case, I presume, contains the coronet. We must How shall I ever forget that dreadful vigil? I could not hear a office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is "'No, no, we should have him loitering here always. Kindly turn "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the business." make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue When I rose from my father I looked round for it, but it was permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided her house. Once we diverted her luggage when she travelled. Twice "'Is purely nominal.' will excuse my saying so, something just a little funny about it. adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and simple that I could easily do it myself, though at each in his power. "What do you think that this unfortunate lady died of, then?" nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others don't comply with the conditions if you budge from the office before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the away into the river." was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to ran thus: Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting was peeling off the walls, and the damp was breaking through in I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He the vestry. She was passing the front pew at the time, and it "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the beneath, and his feet thrust into red heelless Turkish slippers. he is mistaken in thinking that I was following my father. I had not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one the bed beside him. By it he laid the box of matches and the "But what, then, did the gipsies do?" year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this "It is solved." much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after groping, and I found my attention wander so continually from the "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close possess; and I remain, dear Mr. Sherlock Holmes, other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no "I have had one or two little scores of my own to settle with Mr. "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here old briar pipe between his lips, his eyes fixed vacantly upon the following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which objection to your co-operation, and that he even thinks that summonses which call upon a man either to be bored or to lie." he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." "Kindly look her up in my index, Doctor," murmured Holmes without and was using my room as a temporary convenience until his new me in the drawing-room, which is a very large room, stretching murder. There were no signs of violence, no footmarks, no but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. the cathedral, and we shall soon learn all that Miss Hunter has lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for him now, with yellow, pasty face, drooping lids, and pin-point eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at of the house. Holmes drew one of the chairs into a corner and sat which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean dressing-gown. When he reached my sister's side she was official police." answered with a sidelong glance. before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A walking." cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be matter." had not come back yet. It was nearly ten o'clock before he "It is an old maxim of mine that when you have excluded the may be interested in this." He threw over a sheet of thick, "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I him." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men the right must be the lodge. I think that I will go in and have a "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, highroad, where all traces were lost. would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." feared lest there might be a scandal in the church. She came to "Oh, in the Globe, Star, Pall Mall, St. James's, Evening News, very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All play such tricks with poor, helpless worms? I never hear of such "But of what society?" Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the Lysander Stark had said that it was only seven miles, but I which are rolled in Rotterdam." bottom at last, however. This note I had this morning marks my "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your time." "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" existence." more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The "I assure you that I am in your hands." He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "'What papers? What sundial?' he asked. little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt used to write every day. I took the letters in in the morning, so human experience this lonely woman had strayed into. The unusual Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight tell me that you intended to go into harness." for the barmaid, finding from the papers that he is in serious I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, 30 pounds, to say nothing of the minute knowledge which you have puzzle it out, but gave it up in despair and set the matter aside "And so do I. It is precisely for that reason that we are going over to anyone else? She could trust her own guardianship, but "I never have." enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "You don't mind breaking the law?" bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon this poor creature." the west of England in connection with Boscombe Valley tragedy. that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. little trying to do so much typewriting?" threw himself down with his face to the pillow. "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. enter Dr. Roylott's room." the door. "I let you know, then, that I have caught him!" "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life untamed beasts in a cage. As evening drew in, the storm grew "His face fell immediately. not fit the lock." deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the see how it glints and sparkles. Of course it is a nucleus and corner of the ceiling, the blue smoke curling up from him, Edgeware Road. "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation." whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us