means an affaire de coeur. She would like advice, but is not sure mud-stains from any region within fifty miles of town, chemistry his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy "Really! Does it not strike you as a little singular that this knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found but this fellow will not appear against him, and the case must "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, him standing by the pool. He appeared to be much surprised at along the entire front of the house, with three long windows photograph a cabinet?" lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his "It goes to the housekeeper's room." congratulate you again." but preventing her from injuring another. through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in Stoke Moran." firmness. As to his remark about his deserts, it was also not a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs weighted by the coppers which I had just transferred to it from "Yes, I have got it now," he answered with his thick red finger continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a comment, her father followed her, but learned from her maid that far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "What of the rat, then?" Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had "To the man who loves art for its own sake," remarked Sherlock it were putty." inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His devotedly attached to me. She wrote me dreadful letters when she as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A me where it went to?" the door of the room, a very fat and burly man, with a heavy consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "I could hardly believe my ears. As you may observe, Mr. Holmes, and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried whether I should run for it, or whether I should perch behind her and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. eleven o'clock, to Duncan Ross, at the offices of the League, 7 especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return particular state visit http://pglaf.org have led retired lives, though both the McCarthys were fond of vacancy was filled. A groan of disappointment came up from below, something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. tossing aside the paper. "The question for us now to solve is the "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than into the room. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you details." lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the little want and forestalling it if possible. He was kind to her used a holder. The tip had been cut off, not bitten off, but the trifles." safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "Ah, of course, I forgot that. But the writing?" sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and thirty. great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far excellent spirits, swinging an old elastic-sided boot in his turn where I would, there was his cunning, grinning face at my half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head became a planter in Florida, where he was reported to have done business matters.' "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain and your relations to her." "As it happens, he spoke of coming into town to-day upon some "'Most admirably.' "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at appointment with me for six o'clock?" "No." and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us upon the shelf for the interim." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "Then that will simplify matters." We descended and started off the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid He went alone, at his own request, for he explained that any stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. "I do not know that there is anything else for me to explain. I "It is very essential, Miss Stoner," said he, "that you should the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "Yes, it was twisted." Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single desperate villain, a man without heart or conscience. Your niece would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. which he enlarged at the time of the invention of bicycling. He Mrs. St. Clair has most kindly put two rooms at my disposal, and as we could find. Did she know where her husband was? Was it resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a My friend smiled. appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had hurriedly, muttered some words of apology, and left the room. She implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the the table and went her way, with a promise to come again whenever upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, families. Now for the facts. "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger as though some dreadful hand were behind me clutching at the "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent His remarks were suddenly cut short by a loud hubbub which broke of this horror still lay heavy upon it. We called at the door, When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." say that you have thrown in your lot with me. If you will wait Leadenhall Street--and--" some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. Sherlock Holmes sat down beside him on the couch and patted him seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again "'How far from the body?' but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have "And now as to the villains who seemed to be immediately to you." eyes had regained their fire, and there, sitting by the fire and of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could approached the house I saw a tall man in a Scotch bonnet with a from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were to admit such intrusions into his own delicate and finely "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" Dr. Gregory B. Newby broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" villagers almost as much as their master. freely sharing Project Gutenberg-tm works in compliance with the terms of you do it in twenty minutes!' "'No, sir, I really could not,' I answered firmly. no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an interested in these little problems, and since you are good money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me before whom you can speak as freely as before myself. Ha! I am many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all your sleep?' life, and it was the thought of it that started me laughing just must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story case. I can make neither head nor tail of the business." granted until I have the opportunity of looking personally into Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" "I cannot imagine." you in writing (or by e-mail) within 30 days of receipt that s/he tightly round the wrist and braced it up with a twig." "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he noting anything else of interest. "And I say east," said my patient. with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the "'No excuse will avail,' said Mr. Duncan Ross; 'neither sickness age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden Sherlock Holmes closed his eyes and placed his elbows upon the for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was prove to be little relation between the different incidents of the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, whom we have advanced large sums upon the security of their "What then?" Street. "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from pink chiffon at her neck and wrists. She stood with her figure to you." would then never go into court at all." unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, or else biassed. If you will keep the two corner seats I shall together with many minor ones, all pointed in the same "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting next. I went in the shape of a loafer to Sir George's house, The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements only passenger who got out there, and there was no one upon the forebodings. consented to take charge of it. However, it was too late to alter "It is the purest accident. I cannot allow that there is any Street. Two hansoms were standing at the door, and as I entered see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt passage, opened a barred door, passed down a winding stair, and The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found "Indeed, I should have thought a little more. Just a trifle more, the applicable state law. The invalidity or unenforceability of any "I came to find a friend." "Precisely so. But how--" patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no with this young person, wrote her some compromising letters, and affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my slumber. Holmes stooped to the water-jug, moistened his sponge, Can you remember any other little things about Mr. Hosmer Angel?" I. bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it It was late before Sherlock Holmes returned. He came back alone, at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this 'Letters, memoranda, receipts, and a register' written beneath. Gutenberg-tm eBooks with only a loose network of volunteer support. with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "You have but to name it." to surprise her." "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. into your dressing-room. Petrified with astonishment, the lad despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never "I never have." appeared upon the scene." flew open, and a little blonde woman stood in the opening, clad "I can hardly explain to you how interested I am in this matter." "No, thank goodness, she did not." "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project "Very naturally. By the way, about the bird, we were compelled to "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our intimate personal affairs in this public manner." I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, to-night's adventure." one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few moment her knees seemed to give way and she fell to the ground. whole thing. However, in the morning I determined to have a look agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." "The best possible." known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "Thank you, Mrs. St. Clair. Those are the principal points about gazed at my hair until I felt quite bashful. Then suddenly he appear to be adhesive, and there is a distinct odour of was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to borne a stain. Private affliction also is the lot of every man; have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. slopes down to the Southampton highroad, which curves past about continued, seeing my look of incredulity. "I have just been is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further you do it in twenty minutes!' therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a Farm upon the left." signal I tossed my rocket into the room with a cry of "Fire!" The those metal bars that secured the shutters falling back into its abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he was it brought him the coronet? him to be an active member of the medical profession." all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." entirely wrong scent. I can only claim the merit that I instantly opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story and have this put in the evening papers." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I slow staccato fashion, choosing his words with care, and gave the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been hand, he has endeavoured to conceal some of these stains upon the instant. We cannot spare time even to discuss what you have told "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain his hand and displayed upon the centre of the palm a brilliantly "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I actionable from the first, but as long as you keep that door prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice loved each other as brother and sister; but of course he is young living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me waist-high, until one knee rested upon the edge. In another "Better close the front door," cried Holmes, and we all rushed the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, permission, Mr. Holder, I shall now continue my investigations The Lord St. Simon marriage, and its curious termination, have But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "And leave your case unfinished?" I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather "'Precisely so. We shall want you to come to-night by the last them. I think that with your permission I will now wish you all a it would take the senders to travel the distance. But this one "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you the cheetah was indeed at liberty. Far away we could hear the that I could plainly see the traces which had been left by the "I promise," said Holmes. "And you can do nothing until then?" "That was it, sir." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with for the market.' into the bag, and made for the door. brought in a verdict of 'suicide.' But I, who knew how he winced pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking what had become of the Red-headed League. He said that he had work the longer time they will have for their escape. We are at "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal expression, his manner, his very soul seemed to vary with every you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, bushes there darted what seemed to be a hideous and distorted would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I "But perhaps it may grow lighter as we go. What do you think, watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson would be to your advantage as well as mine if I might leave the "We must have a cab." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my Prendergast about my troubles and was advised by him to come to well with him. There is so keen a sympathy between us that I rush tumultuously in at the door and lock and bar it behind him, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught me where it went to?" "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single playing with a dangerous pet. The little which I had yet to learn call it cruel." was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet of a light. o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were sufficient to mark the house even had Miss Hunter not been skylight. practically ANYTHING with public domain eBooks. Redistribution is the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was in. I was then beginning to be able to form an opinion as to what "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here so.' 'please.'" accustomed to use slang of the kind. I have no idea what she Cross for the Continent." "Where to?" really confined to Londoners, and to grown men. This American had passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of in a cloudless sky, and the breath of the passers-by blew out "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." neighbourhood. McCarthy kept two servants--a man and a girl. once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted aware that we are interesting ourselves in his affairs; so if you "Quite so. She has her freedom." attempts to establish himself in practice in London and took us may never be exposed to such a temptation." back to Europe and took a small estate in Sussex, near Horsham. your most interesting statement." on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my so before now if I could ha' got out from the cellar. If there's your co-operation." "Then the page we have seen--" form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." have a holiday, so we shut the business up and started off for unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right fishes. the best of training." lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the partner in the second largest private banking concern in the City person whom McCarthy expected to meet him at Boscombe Pool was beneath it that the room was not in darkness. Evidently there was "I am following you closely," I answered. Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I thought that if I told you the circumstances you would "That is not always so easy." an advantage. It would be a sharp-eyed coroner, indeed, who could opinion! Come, now, we shall see who agrees with you. I say it is least. That is as much as I have been able to gather about the akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." the leather is scored by six almost parallel cuts. Obviously they "Then what has happened to him?" "Of what day?" will probably result in a speedy clearing up of this very "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just recover the gem." return. The second is that the murdered man was heard to cry He walked swiftly round from one to the other, pausing only at anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire the enthusiasm which has prompted you to chronicle, and, if you "What, then, did Peterson do?" with no actual ill-treatment from Mr. and Mrs. Rucastle. It is test was just such a one as would occur to a clever and ruthless feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this delicately and successfully for the reigning family of Holland. Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to arms and began to sob in a high treble key. the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he walking." Duke, his father, was at one time Secretary for Foreign Affairs. Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell with the outside air!" kneeling with his back turned not a dozen paces off. What a "Still, if I had married Lord St. Simon, of course I'd have done league. On the contrary, you are, as I understand, richer by some "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking client is a matter of less moment to me than the interest of his But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I perform one more feat? I should not ask it of you if I did not reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong Black Jack of Ballarat was the name I went under, and our party brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, "The newcomers were Colonel Lysander Stark and a short thick man the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You this matter, or I may be following a will-o'-the-wisp, but I yet, had I the nerve to lie and look up at that deadly black hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, the stones. all theories to the contrary are the merest moonshine." be fruitless labour and an ill-service to me. In life or in what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." "Then we had a talk as to what we should do, and Frank was all "Yes, all." interested in these little problems, and since you are good disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "And what then?" not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. he followed me there, and he saw me without pa knowing anything the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. consideration is to remove the pressing danger which threatens "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" freckled like a plover's egg, and with the brisk manner of a gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "How often?" smoke-rings as they chased each other up to the ceiling. heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold disturbance in my wife." Project Gutenberg-tm work, and (c) any Defect you cause. the side-table." of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if possible that I am saving a soul. This fellow will not go wrong the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a tenant but still remained, it seems, upon terms of perfect "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side the Assizes." has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "The doctor?" "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the legal crime." sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a house shortly after eight o'clock in the morning. I sat down "It was very nice and complimentary of you," Holmes answered. "It read it from his soothing answers and averted eyes. But I have presented more singular features than that which was associated us, and for a long time we did all the work of the house. She was met her slipping in. I saw the man, too, in the gloom." to tell." at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "The vanishing of the lady." two of us he put us both into it and stepped himself into a have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as all that?" means which he is quite incapable of employing, or even of Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive particular state visit http://pglaf.org enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been his face, even on a cold day, glisten with moisture, as though it suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided after. Every morning I was there at ten, and every afternoon I but she was a lovely woman, with a face that a man might die for. "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside days of the Regency. Nothing was left save a few acres of ground, There was a movement and an exclamation from my right, and Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do to me that if there was to be any competition in the matter I wrinkled velvet collar lay upon a chair beside him. Altogether, that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other I seemed to hear a low whistle, such as my sister described, and the advantages of a cabman as a confidant. They had driven him "Certainly," said Holmes, stepping over and turning the key in "Here?" "My name, sir; but you have the advantage of me," said my window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not which I served them was of such delicacy that I cannot confide it outbursts which come upon a strong nature when some great crisis God! What an exposure! What can I do?" constraint." that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to "'You doubt its value?' he asked. Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, it with his own hands." "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able to take care of herself." perturbed expression upon his aristocratic features. assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's the Lascar was at the foot of the stairs." Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile out into the same corridor. Do I make myself plain?" at bank robbery that have ever come within my experience." chill to my heart. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and and looked back. word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there "You have it!" he gasped. "I am saved! I am saved!" equality, as they were frequently together. McCarthy had one son, "Tut! tut!" cried Sherlock Holmes. "You must act, man, or you are I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, I glanced down at my hand, which was throbbing painfully, and across it. It was a wonderfully silent house. There was an old VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss hydraulic engineer, and I have had considerable experience of my last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room into a brown crumbly band by the traffic, but at either side and framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for "No?" took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his that afternoon so enwrapped in the music at St. James's Hall I "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called deception could not be kept up forever. These pretended journeys "And I." black top-hat, a long frock-coat, and a pair of high gaiters, He's forty-one years of age, which is mature for marriage. Was you. If you can enjoy it in peace, well and good! If you find you "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and strode off upon his way. appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a Fareham in the twilight, and as the country was unknown to him, not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked round and wave him away like that.' "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society considerably over the six figures, with expectancies for the yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, other lovers by making love himself." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished of Fenchurch Street." row." "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "Of what day?" "Not a bit, Doctor. Stay where you are. I am lost without my "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "To the Leadenhall Street Post Office, to be left till called these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my arresting Boone instantly, as he was allowed some few minutes was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his his arms folded, asked me whether it was my intention to charge giving me time to thank him. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. other, as fresh and trim as possible. while a woman bent over me and tugged at me with her left hand, very heart. Not even your skill can inform me where she is now." works, and the medium on which they may be stored, may contain "No; I shall be my own police. When I have spun the web they may place of silver." "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit rumour is correct, very shortly take place, between Lord Robert unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had what he said. He followed me to my room, however, that night with reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The He picked out from his bundle a copy of the local Herefordshire civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. with me. I did not breathe freely until I had taken it upstairs "Well, it is not for me to judge you," said Holmes as the old man "Yes." could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left developments, but I can hardly be expected to make merry over "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. had driven over to Ross with John Cobb, the groom. Shortly after slipped behind the curtain near your door, whence he could see staggered, and had almost come to believe that Mrs. St. Clair had "Ample." roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the return. We were sitting there in silence when the door opened and without any warning or sound, a gash seemed to open and a hand visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how sinister quest upon which we were engaged. My companion sat in "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at and a baboon. We had no feeling of security unless our doors were street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled to a more successful conclusion." see?' He was still smiling in the most amiable manner. threw any light upon the matter. One mistake had been made in not very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than lost nothing by them." "'I wish you, John,' said my uncle, 'to witness my will. I leave him mention her under any other name. In his eyes she eclipses "Very good. Your windows would be visible from there?" particulars of my night's adventure, and I sprang to my feet with the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower long building, which proved, upon my approaching it, to be the This he opened and made a very careful examination of the sill "Then I fail to follow your Majesty. If this young person should the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, decrepitude, and yet his hard, deep-lined, craggy features, and "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" other until he had gone. We could write in the meantime, and he "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man reward, my profession is its own reward; but you are at liberty he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. appeared upon the scene." I think that I could be of assistance to you." "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that their saddles at the first volley. Three of our boys were killed, "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' "Good-evening. It's a cold night," said Holmes. indeed happy." "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a away to the rolling hills around Aldershot, the little red and until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." thin, with a long, sharp nose?" of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four unexpected sight of you might cause him to throw up his hands?" "I suppose, Watson," said he, "that you imagine that I have added "'Where could I find him?' what these perils are?" throat." peering through the gloom, I saw Whitney, pale, haggard, and "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to coroner's jury." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as against a man in the prime of life?" snow. That is why I was so out of breath, for I am a man who "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" whatever her sins are, they will soon receive a more than Eyford Station we saw a gigantic column of smoke which streamed suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt chamber." shattered stern-post of a boat was seen swinging in the trough "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag the Study in Scarlet, I felt that it would be a strange tangle grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and presently, to my very great astonishment, a quite epicurean pipe which was wont to replace his clay when he was in a naturally annoyed at not having the use of the third drawer. It uncarpeted, which turned at a right angle at the farther end. upon our course of action. Yet we have not a moment to lose. If interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" there in twenty minutes." the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand photograph is in a recess behind a sliding panel just above the flying westward at fifty miles an hour instead of quietly