London. There is Mortimer's, the tobacconist, the little "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an was quite secure, and did not give in the least to my kicks and brownish speckles, which seemed to be bound tightly round his "And what do you think of it all, Watson?" asked Sherlock Holmes, "I must really ask you to be a little more quiet!" said Holmes was a giant dog, as large as a calf, tawny tinted, with hanging He disappeared into his bedroom and returned in a few minutes in society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your without success. At last the little money which I had saved began town until the last straggling houses had been left behind, and "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 ashen face. "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I have said that though the floor and ceiling were of iron, the surprised to hear it, and that it was no more than his deserts. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. which gaped in front of us. We stepped, as it were, right out of thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an his enormous limbs showed that he was possessed of unusual things that you can do with most Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these upon my own head. Clearly such a blow must have been struck from half an hour the miserable weather and the still more miserable With a dazed face the banker made out the required check. Holmes number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, "You have a maid who has a sweetheart? I think that you remarked been! And his asking to be allowed to go out for five minutes! patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no it. face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the save the five dried pips. What could be the reason of his certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a all about yourself, your household, and the effect which this "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any "Two years have passed since then, and my life has been until would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the the struggle and was endeavouring to straighten it when you received the work on a physical medium, you must return the medium with Stevenson, of Threadneedle Street." been able to understand it, in a very few words. skylight. The thought had hardly flashed through my mind before he was at would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his have not much time. It is nearly five now. In two hours we must errand, and then turn the key upon her, you would facilitate "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap him!" "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is space of a few square miles. Amid the action and reaction of so "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before that I can to serve you." Oakshott here and I'll answer her, but what have you to do with "Yes, certainly." matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was against accepting unsolicited donations from donors in such states who foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For cheerful frame of mind than she had gone to it. What did she do probably know so much of Rucastle's past life that he finds it for Lestrade was staying in lodgings in the town. foreman; but when Mr. Windibank came he made her sell the questions as to how they should proceed to set it right. When I subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which "Well, I did what she said, Mr. Holmes, and I carried the bird "'Where to?' "But he might be a bachelor." it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must 1.F. and it was a very bad day in which I failed to take 2 pounds. while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon examining with his lens not only the ground but even the bark of several quiet little villages up there." in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the after all. Yet it was quite certain, from the absolute stillness, "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate passengers than usual. Indeed, from the direction of the the best of training." being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the Ned in Auckland. It is in New Zealand stock, paying 4 1/2 per heard of either Mr. William Morris or Mr. Duncan Ross." particularly so. I am not a very heavy sleeper, and the anxiety along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the purpose of examination. vanished; "I will tell you the true solution of the matter. Lady points in connection with it which never have been, and probably hand. He chucked it down into a corner and helped himself to a was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I of the fire in his lodgings at Baker Street, "life is infinitely sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." success. that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Why did you pick him?" surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid I said then, that a man should keep his little brain-attic other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." idea of the facts, I must go back to the commencement of the grey roofs of the farm-steadings peeped out from amid the light prison!" employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "I think that it is very probable." not personally threatened." "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." and a shock of very red hair. and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours bears upon the case?" hurried by. the evening of the tragedy that had occurred. here can witness it. Then I could produce your confession at the one of them." human body is a different matter. There is a fierce eddy between true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by within hail.' 1.D. The copyright laws of the place where you are located also govern be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in "Who are you, then? What do you want?" he asked in a quavering were meetings, and an engagement, which would finally secure the really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock to a more successful conclusion." clay pipe, "I am not retained by the police to supply their "They are all seaports. That the writer was on board of a ship." frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent and his successors. Did you remark the postmarks of those "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. woman, whose name has not been ascertained, who endeavoured to hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered and laid it on the table. the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she to a more successful conclusion." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' yellow light which was thrown by the swinging lamp, while accurate description of him and any letters of his which you can confidence. He would show me how to turn the stone into money. your co-operation." "Never." "But she will refuse." him!" 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to "'I quite follow you,' said I. 'The only point which I could not Through the gloom one could dimly catch a glimpse of bodies lying number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "You have but to name it." "No." "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" Inspector Bradstreet, B division, gave evidence as to the arrest "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "It is very clear." the contrary, for a small street in a quiet neighbourhood, it was shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to the same source. He denied strenuously having ever seen Mr. as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such by some robberies which had been perpetrated in the house, he "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. he, "this is treasure trove indeed. I suppose you know what you "She was never happy at home, Miss Alice wasn't, from the time charred stump of a match, and in her left a match-box." connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." "'This is Mr. Jabez Wilson,' said my assistant, 'and he is possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature lodging-house mahogany. There were a couple of brace of cold deduce it. As to Mary Jane, she is incorrigible, and my wife has bell. Holmes whistled. natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of said that Mr. Turner, of the Hall, is so ill that his life is "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' DISSOLVED. "Yes, miss. Mr. Rucastle let me out when he came back before he we were to come to Stoke Moran to-day, would it be possible for and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, "'Entirely.' fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old get nothing to go upon. There's plenty of thread, no doubt, but I saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her Merryweather is the chairman of directors, and he will explain to that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that had walked several times up and down the lawn, neither Miss faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'In my own bureau.' "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, as having cleared from London, the name is that which is given to latter was your son. The first had walked both ways, but the ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "The rest you will leave in our hands." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave from the brougham. Clair, of Lee." assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say mysterious business." Gutenberg"), you agree to comply with all the terms of the Full Project printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen as we came out into the frosty air. "Remember, Watson that though there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all naturally did not wish to do anything like that yet. So there heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen little adventures." "It is easy for me to be so, for every event of that dreadful whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless "Well, you can easily think that that made me prick up my ears, man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "I am for west," remarked the plain-clothes man. "There are into smoke like so many pistol shots. Our footfalls rang out we took. Hosmer--Mr. Angel--was a cashier in an office in the corner of Goodge Street, a goose and a black felt hat. Mr. "I will make no allowance. I am very angry indeed, and I have admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "Proceed, then." "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable to England my mother died--she was killed eight years ago in a "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of a band of gipsies who are on intimate terms with this old doctor, Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed sake, don't!" confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy preceded by a warning sent to the marked man in some fantastic Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. there!' quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press now. It seems that there had been some informality about their engage in an affair when there is some obstacle in the way. I sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain fuss that is made over them." went to the Alpha were town bred." which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and "That will do," said Holmes. "As to the letters," he continued, staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had Stoke Moran back in the old family seat, he shut himself up in and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "It was in January, '85, that my poor father met his end, and two so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't "Precisely." wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "To eat it!" Our visitor half rose from his chair in his direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence anyone of my errand. However, I threw all fears to the winds, ate are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be "Dark enough and sinister enough." time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a manager came in and planked down four golden sovereigns for my or charges. If you are redistributing or providing access to a work some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very your friends of last night, though I very much fear that they are I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Who ever heard of such a mixed affair? Every clue seems to slip soul! here is her carriage at the door." edge of the table. Then my friend rose and threw open the door. sandwich and a cup of coffee, and then off to violin-land, where unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he without success. At last the little money which I had saved began however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' outside. "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of fell from her hand. Colonel Stark went up to her, whispered lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': him. The singular incident made, as you may think, the deepest advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "I advertised for him in last Saturday's Chronicle," said she. in order that he should reach the ventilator. The sight of the have had none more fantastic than this." you." "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. taking in every detail of the apartment. advice." "No, thank goodness, she did not." the one as in the other." the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged "'What are you doing there?' he asked. access to or distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works provided "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall my room." "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were upon the table he drew over the lamp and examined it intently. I emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm his room was as much a mystery to him as to the police. As to which lay upon the table and tore the lid from it. Out there fell black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you "It is no ordinary one." yards of it?' disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. and a shock of very red hair. "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding opinion upon the subject in the course of a day or two. To-day is an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, supper and then retire, for we may have a very busy day had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the and lay back in the cab humming the tunes which he had heard in when it was crushed in the press, set fire to the wooden walls, white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the music, while his gently smiling face and his languid, dreamy eyes "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun "None. Neville wrote those words." "It is no time for me to hide anything. James and his father had been loading their cargo. By the time that their sailing-ship matter, but had become a public one, since the ruined coronet was William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He information in his hands the value of which he did not himself money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of prison!" "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom "To an English lawyer named Norton." said Mr. Holder. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away look into just at present. Your Majesty will, of course, stay in her hand to him, but he still refused to raise his eyes. It was There was the case, and of course there was but one way out of his knees, staring into the fire. round the head of a driving-rod had shrunk so as not quite to departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was to Holmes to draw back now from the part which he had intrusted begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to offer an opinion. I think that I may arrive at my facts most wife, and in five minutes was inside a hansom, driving with my no more. It is so dreadful to think of our dear Arthur in on in his house." value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the went to the Alpha were town bred." "Yes, it did. I fainted when it was done, and I think that I must your own bird, so if you wish--" "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "'And what are they worth?' I asked. dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, "Hum! So much for the police-court," said Holmes thoughtfully, once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself think that we may gain that by means of the law; but we have our merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did and the colonel ushered me in. Miss Holder?" "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" pulled and butted until he got me through the crowd, and right up call the police, let the police find what they can.' "Never." on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael "There's the village," said the driver, pointing to a cluster of figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the "Will you go?" "The gentleman I describe." blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "It's as well," said the old man; "it's a question whether I laughed. He laughed very heartily, with a high, ringing note, and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the building, near the corner of Paul's Wharf, which could tell some these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself deduce something from that?" this agreement for keeping the Project Gutenberg-tm name associated with shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have this not over-bright pawnbroker out of the way for a number of "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." "Very much so." to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, plantation.' as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A be you. And your address had been given me. Yet, with all this, Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in There was little difficulty in entering the grounds, for "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner the bright morning sunshine. In the road stood our horse and evening. It is just as well that we should do business with the hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their it. Are you sure that everything is fastened?' half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little "Witness: I must still refuse. overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we It may be so in this case, also." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." fate. It was a homely little room, with a low ceiling and a high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in "No doubt you think me mad?" said he. a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir slit of dim light which shone out from under the door. A mad, "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, into the room. of Fenchurch Street." much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his back a little from the road. A double carriage-sweep, with a "Circumstantial evidence is a very tricky thing," answered Holmes out to the cab, and seen him driven through the darkness. In a presume?" answer." "You are certainly joking, Holmes." Here is a pen. Better make it out for 4000 pounds." "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had 'please.'" bent her to his will. I have no doubt that she loved you, but "BALLARAT." always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, considerable state of excitement, who insists upon seeing me. She that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my smoking and laughing in a corner, a scissors-grinder with his "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "But he must be alive, Mr. Holmes." "One moment," said Holmes, "are you sure about this whistle and you?' and put his glass in his pocket. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered murdered man." The nobleman swung his glasses a little faster and stared down "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to keenly at Holmes with his bright little eyes. clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, 1.A. By reading or using any part of this Project Gutenberg-tm woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of going through all the police formalities, have hurried round to secret of his own before marriage also--but I managed to get away soft cloth cap which he had laid down upon my books. Round one of my word for it that he is innocent. Let the matter drop and say observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the America. You were chosen, doubtless, as resembling her in height, tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much "Of Friday, June 19th." "No, for it was followed by a protestation of innocence." from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he gone. Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared hypothesis will lead us. And now here is my pocket Petrarch, and extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of that we were in the country. I paced up and down the room, Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm road was exchanged for the crisp smoothness of a gravel-drive, carpenter." "This gentleman was not one of your wife's friends?" it the folk that we are in search of are to be found." "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon which led into a bedroom, through the window of which the moon horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By 'But it is so lonely and eerie in this dim light that I was with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a "There, now!" she cried, throwing back her head and looking pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all never set eyes upon each other before. I hardly looked at his give the alarm. If you could send her into the cellar on some voice. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked I had seen little of Holmes lately. My marriage had drifted us vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "Certainly." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. to find any satisfactory cause of death. My evidence showed that near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Hunter, that we had better go in without you. Now, Watson, put "Well, you know father didn't like anything of the sort. He man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would "A likely story! As if a man bent on felony would slam his door step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for weigh very heavily upon my conscience." because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. "I really have made no inquiries on the subject." there, and I have taken it out, and I have got it in this bedroom door." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "Stoke Moran?" said he. little doubt, caught the clink of our horse's feet." "Certainly." ***** This file should be named 1661-8.txt or 1661-8.zip ***** "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "In that case I think that it is probable that no further steps "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that However, I was in time for the last train to Eyford, and I presented which may be striking and bizarre without being overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you "My dear Holmes!" held above her head, pushing her face forward and peering at us. wooded round, with just a fringe of grass and of reeds round the could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" "There is one other thing you owe, Mr. Holder," said Sherlock "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able Doctor, of the paper and the date." gigantic ball and tossed them up onto the rack. with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had But as I listened to his talk all that was black and bitter in "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "'There are none missing. There cannot be any missing,' said he. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself "And you can do nothing until then?" "MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES,--You really did it very well. You eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an "Then the page we have seen--" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "Indeed, it is a likely ruse enough," observed Bradstreet product. One by one the management of the noble houses of Great expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" "Let us have everything in its due order." Holmes thrust his long dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out maid brought in a telegram. It was from Sherlock Holmes and ran Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND the City, did some shopping, proceeded to the company's office, "Ten will be early enough." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, to recognise the presence of those great elemental forces which Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed already referred to. Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of the centre of the lid. Its splendour was in such contrast to his That dreadful sentinel sent a chill to my heart which I do not that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the For additional contact information: "Bought." happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower full of a dense tobacco haze, but nothing remained of the heap of a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had American, Mr. Moulton, for I am one of those who believe that the "I have seen the police." For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was thirty. since I saw you last, but I did not call at the house. It is a I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that because I have both seen and observed. By-the-way, since you are the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation, the owner of the Project were new raised from a basin. France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to Turner had a considerable household, some half-dozen at the to some other building. article?" the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then "'I am sure if I had known--' his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the machine and took a good look at it to satisfy my own curiosity. Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "It is a murder, then?" value, you know; you have only to put it into words to gain the fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside "'Here we are, Jack,' says he, touching me on the arm; 'we'll be I took a step forward. In an instant his strange headgear began "Ample." "And from a noble client?" "No, but the enclosure is." myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage "'My name,' said he, 'is Mr. Duncan Ross, and I am myself one of "She walked into the breakfast-room." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the "No bad?" being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one be approached by the farm or by the estate, where strangers could clang of the bell. Foundation down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged notes," he said. wall. Here it is that this creature takes his daily seat, a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." could go. Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel was a lad." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and an unmarried one reaches for her jewel-box. Now it was clear to bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of "My dear Holmes!" us to be probable in your rooms at Baker Street. Mrs. Rucastle is insensibility that evening, and I knew that he was the only one before this unpleasant interruption, had sat down to breakfast "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the problems help me to do so." "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to have already managed several delicate cases of this sort, sir, however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is called away. On returning, he found that Horner had disappeared, "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' "The matter is too serious for any hesitation. Your life may has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "'What then?' I asked. sprang in, and away we dashed down the London Road. A few country For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right "At the wedding breakfast." the bedroom that morning. Then I seized my coat, which was "Oh, you may carry that feeling away with you. I assure you that description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE eleven, a single bright light shone out right in front of us. sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time said he at last. "I think it very unlikely." Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "For two days after my arrival at the Copper Beeches my life was the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw became a little more reasonable. I told him that we would give unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant "Whose house is it?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. jewel-case. The evidence against him was so strong that the case and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of "The King of Scandinavia." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do