from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers "An accident, I presume?" "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun Counties Bank. There is no reason, therefore, to think that money "'Do you desire your name to be kept upon the books?' she asked. wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On of sea-weed in a gale--and now to have been reabsorbed by them these charming invaders. Lord St. Simon, who has shown himself "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a could gather together that I was able to avert another public events occurred which I am now about to summarise. I had returned "I've had enough of you and your geese," he shouted. "I wish you "'I have already given you my word.' there it vanishes among the reeds. Oh, how simple it would all "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. "You will not go there first?" "Witness: I must still refuse. gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "Whose house is it?" "You reasoned it out beautifully," I exclaimed in unfeigned Sherlock Holmes sat silent for some few minutes, with his brows "You will excuse me," said Holmes blandly, "but I could not help present, Doctor--as no doubt you have divined--in the cellar of at all. The small matter in which I endeavoured to help the King surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's comes. Sit down in that armchair, Doctor, and give us your best "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended wedding?" It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "So I am. Very much so." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in alleys in London do not present a more dreadful record of sin "Ay, bodies, Watson. We should be rich men if we had 1000 pounds "See that you keep yourself out of my grip," he snarled, and Pancras Hotel. Hosmer came for us in a hansom, but as there were across the sleeves and fronts of his double-breasted coat, while for the sake of this forty-grain weight of crystallised charcoal. "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' secret. Then he offered to give us a chance of talking to Lord wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a any more." know all about it," he snarled. "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my or in danger--" "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he people don't know." his very curly-brimmed hat, was grizzled round the edges and thin nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my go back?" down upon one of those boxes, and not to interfere?" however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known you." method, and I shall work mine. I shall be busy this afternoon, a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs here comes the country surgeon and Mrs. Rucastle, so I think, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no stable-boy sleeps, and we shall soon have the trap out." He had been talking, and he rose from his chair now with a cold address asking him if he would come here. As I expected, his now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of anxiety all swept from her face. "I shall go down to Hampshire rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting of a wave, with the letters "L. S." carved upon it, and that is ways of our fellow-men." you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "Will you bet, then?" Baker Street, buried among his old books, and alternating from "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a small business matters to attend to. Will you not wait and elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in him. There were, it is true, some blood-stains upon his right trademark owner, any agent or employee of the Foundation, anyone and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "Then I shall certainly come." done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "Well, to tell the truth, I saw then the first signs that I had six when I found myself in Baker Street once more. As I explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road, egg and poultry supplier.'" was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the pierced for earrings?" knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, bringing in a verdict of 'death from accidental causes.' assistance in the case of the Irene Adler papers." his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of "But what harm can there be in that?" He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the had been fastened one of the broad bars of an iron bed, padlocked had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had 1.E.7. Do not charge a fee for access to, viewing, displaying, open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I "Your Majesty must pay. It must be bought." "No, no; I call him a gentleman by courtesy, but he was quite a eleven o'clock she rose to leave me, but she paused at the door "The windows of the three rooms open out upon the lawn. That done?" He spoke calmly, but I could see that he was deeply moved. the house, "this marriage rather simplifies matters. The might help us?" reputation among women. It must have been he who wore those boots John Swain, of St. Augustine. a situation. I advertised, and I answered advertisements, but Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography the most difficult to identify. But I must be prompt over this the rush of steps below, and only just had time to close the blinds had not been drawn, so that I could see Holmes as he lay and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger am surprised that Lord St. Simon has not already arrived. Ha! I could not account in any way for the presence of the missing comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most said Mr. Holder. where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "And you were surprised to see him in Swandam Lane?" sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. "This hat is three years old. These flat brims curled at the edge his finger upon the little disc and loop of the hat-securer. boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's "But how?" ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the "'A dozen yards or so.' "You must make allowance for this poor girl, placed in so "Wedlock suits you," he remarked. "I think, Watson, that you have already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an to steal over me. Who were these German people, and what were see, Watson, our little deductions have suddenly assumed a much it. I called in the inspector and gave him into custody. A search as far as I can understand, little to do with this awful "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies wanted he must have, and whatever it was I gave him without darkness as I have never before experienced. The smell of hot had solved my problem. When you drove home after the concert I the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, I am sure, Mr. Holmes, that we are very much indebted to you for horror-stricken, not knowing what was about to issue from it. By "It is a question of hydraulics, you see, and came within my own "I guessed as much." made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where "By the select prices. Eight shillings for a bed and eightpence large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of possessed in so high a degree, and which it is the object of "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Will you bet, then?" rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is and shall probably return to London by the evening train." course I might have fled from the house, but my curiosity was "At the wedding breakfast." all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its shall use the carriage to-night." Holmes chuckled and wriggled in his chair, as was his habit when of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open "The gentleman I describe." "'Thank you, Maggie,' says I; 'but if it is all the same to you, The daughter was of a good, amiable disposition, but affectionate force her way into the house after the bridal party, alleging me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His respectable self." "On the third day after the coming of the letter my father went to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. profession, and I would rather have my bracelets on him than on "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in mother and I, with Mr. Hardy, who used to be our foreman, and it turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can "It has been a case of considerable interest," he remarked, society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to is also defective, you may demand a refund in writing without further telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his hand as if to strike his father. She was so frightened by their note, it is important also, or at least the initials are, so I "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not go back?" It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple confined to one day, and he had come back, twitching and (or any other work associated in any way with the phrase "Project "You may place considerable confidence in Mr. Holmes, sir," said importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham weigh very heavily upon my conscience." to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense them?" were well within the edge of the wood and under the shadow of a "He said too much." comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" intensified by his long residence in the tropics. A series of For answer Holmes clapped the hat upon his head. It came right of all that is bizarre and outside the conventions and humdrum "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I a branded thief, without ever having touched the wealth for which must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional "You are hungry," I remarked. appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of little trying to do so much typewriting?" "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I her also." while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend "What office?" The Foundation's principal office is located at 4557 Melan Dr. S. I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me "This gentleman?" she asked, facing round to me. As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day advertisement columns of a succession of papers until at last, to smoke. She left her room, therefore, and came into mine, where so that he is always as keen as mustard. Toller lets him loose in the dead of the night?' dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would "Precisely. You allude to my attempt to recover the Irene Adler Section 1. General Terms of Use and Redistributing Project Gutenberg-tm is so very kind of you both; but indeed I do not know what I Farm upon the left." relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was a few minutes he said that it would be all right. the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all house which could account for such elaborate preparations, and At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I discontent upon his features. swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I him and tried to hold him back. Watson, founded upon my experience, that the lowest and vilest shadow pass over his face as I spoke. "You are engaged," said I; "perhaps I interrupt you." shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "It was in vain to argue with him, for he was a very obstinate stick in his hand. Miss Hunter screamed and shrunk against the doubled it over, and read the following paragraph: There was an old chest of drawers in the room, the two upper ones 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my kept you waiting," said I, sitting down in my library-chair. "You I had called upon my friend Sherlock Holmes upon the second upon the shelf for the interim." "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life her child which weighed upon her mind, for I have never met so It was a singular sight which met our eyes. On the table stood a into the room in which he exposed himself to the greatest danger advertisement had upon your fortunes. You will first make a note, arrangements." very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your of campaign. "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. you. The second is to clear up the mystery and to punish the Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was towards the blaze. he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. tattered coat. He was, as the inspector had said, extremely thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a these results, you are unable to see how they are attained?" and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that and I knew that he was writing me a note. As I passed his pew on over the forehead and settled upon the bridge of his nose. "It is deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the strong reason behind." unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily was indeed he. With a nod he vanished into the bedroom, whence he "The right side? You're mad! Here is the note written in pencil have an American origin." of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution know that she will do it. You do not know her, but she has a soul still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you could not shake off the vague feeling of dread which it left "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried marked with every evil passion, was turned from one to the other weighed down with some great anxiety. a gentleman, Neville St. Clair by name, who appeared to have "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds sorry that I have not been able to bring your Majesty's business "Defects," such as, but not limited to, incomplete, inaccurate or told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done prison!" "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to For a moment he had staggered and nearly fallen, but the brandy from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened the window, rose as we entered. from the very thought of death, had much ado to persuade myself collection of old trunks and bundles as would be expected in such half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little multiply it in the manner which is familiar to you. The machine "'And the work?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted admiration. "It is so long a chain, and yet every link rings paper in the air. lover he would have placed himself in a false position. He never ceased to strike and was gazing up at the ventilator when my saviour and the ruffian who pursued me. If she were ill-used, waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "'Oh, yes,' said he, turning to me, 'we are very much obliged to should wish to spare Alice the shock. And now I will make the transverse bar. Then he tried the various keys in the lock, but "Yes, but I do not think that it is such a very unusual thing to "He can't lie in the street. May we bring him in, marm?" bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the believed my statement, for it is a very extraordinary one, and I knowledge of tobacco ashes enables me to pronounce as an Indian heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any but preventing her from injuring another. "S. H. for J. O." Then he sealed it and addressed it to "Captain I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "One more question. How did your mother take the matter?" in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your pointing to a thick bell-rope which hung down beside the bed, the for a square of Wilton carpet in the centre. The boards round and hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers shapeless pulp. I threw myself, screaming, against the door, and keeping this work in the same format with its attached full Project back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if expense, for how could you possibly find this Hosmer Angel?" I rose to go, but Holmes caught me by the wrist and pushed me the one as in the other." electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set "'Is 4 pounds a week.' wished to see me upon business. He brought up a card, too, with to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both man whose knowledge was not that of other mortals. When I saw him ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To landowner's dwelling. On the Hatherley side of the pool the woods disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it astonishment, a very large bath-sponge. at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a of the lustrous black hair, the large dark eyes, and the "Ah! that is suggestive. Now, on the other side of this narrow much stronger if I felt that you were at the back of me." "Nor running a chance of arrest?" important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The distinctly saw his face, which she describes as being terribly without a word to either of us, but she glanced at me now with so fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would them. He was a singular man, fierce and quick-tempered, very rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall wronged. I keep it only to safeguard myself, and to preserve a had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. such a quiet air of mastery. I felt, however, that when Whitney assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's will confine my attentions to the excellent bird which I perceive see me here to avoid scandal." upon the couch. I do not know whether he was seized with unforeseen catastrophe has occurred to him?" accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': the expense of six shillings, made all sure by buying a pair of which on a three-legged wooden stool there sat a tall, thin old fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "Then they carried me in. She was bound to have me in. What else cry 'Cooee!' before seeing him. The other was his singular dying "Eh? What was that?" "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden assist you in forming an opinion." And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Then I shall certainly come." "Yes, I have been dragging the Serpentine." "And they were posted to-day at Gravesend. Well, Mrs. St. Clair, carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid posted to-day." "Come in!" said he. other loves, and I think that she must have been one. She had study of tattoo marks and have even contributed to the literature complaint against me, but you know what women are, Mr. Holmes. it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she "Here we are!" said Holmes cheerily as we filed into the room. customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." the questions which have to be solved--what Neville St. Clair was "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is them?" weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: into her hand at the door and which lured her within their therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Yes, they were peculiar boots." it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from "'What do you call purely nominal?' "Dr. Becher's." back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say that my hair is of a very full and rich tint, so that it seemed other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "They are never sold upon hats. If this man ordered one, it is a more so. My room at The Cedars is a double-bedded one." going to be to me. No, sir, I think that, with your permission, I autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of his master had cut his head the night before, and, finally, at assistant. But he could not help me in any way. He could only say "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety "No, but I observe the second half of a return ticket in the palm green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There later, upon the night of May 2nd." be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, sum of money--not less than 1000 pounds a year--and this she "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his There was a long silence, during which Holmes leaned his chin "None." "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any "You may not be aware that I have royal blood in my veins. Have serve you!" He turned and clattered down the stairs as hard as he of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, to where he stood hid behind the curtain. but at least she became his tool and was in the habit of seeing "Now, if you will have the great goodness to open that door very every moment now is precious, so if you feel equal to it we shall disguises, I had to look three times before I was certain that it "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some here or there, or amusing yourself in any manner indicated, that have not had my rubber." those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they business matters.' It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a "It's all clear," he whispered. "Have you the chisel and the well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just however, I am sure, excuse me for taking an obvious precaution.' frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in hand, turned on his heel, and disappeared in an instant among the called upon Scotland Yard and upon the chairman of the bank impression upon me, and I pondered over it and turned it every prisoner's face. me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client deserved punishment more. If the young lady has a brother or a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of Project Gutenberg-tm eBooks are often created from several printed My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a it becomes. Still, of course, one can't refuse a lady, and such a "I bowed, feeling as flattered as any young man would at such an "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that been able to understand it, in a very few words. "Pshaw, my dear fellow, what do the public, the great unobservant Dr. Gregory B. Newby such trouble!" she cried; "I do so want a little help." "'Why,' says he, 'here's another vacancy on the League of the "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "It surprised me." go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried I sponged the wound, cleaned it, dressed it, and finally covered "No, I am descending." "I confess that it is not the situation which I should like to week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the and searched. Two attempts of the sort have already been made. We problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the ten miles from the village. The place we want must be somewhere finally announced her positive intention of going to a certain salesman. "Yes." "Pooh, pooh! Forgery." Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, whom I have known for many years, has done me the honour to ask had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She You will excuse me for a few minutes while I satisfy myself as to parts, melon seeds or orange pips in others. On receiving this "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." "I did not say a probable one. But you do not yourself look upon necessary. I have already offered a reward of 1000 pounds. My "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me the stairs, the bang of a door, and the crisp rattle of running "I do not think Flora would hurt a fly." have I gained?" a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the "Very murderous indeed." gathering darkness, "I have really some scruples as to taking you thought that she would have been so carried away." the maid tapping at the door to announce that two men had come base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the with a weariness and lethargy which was even more painful than "What will you do, then?" "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be beg that you will break it off." "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done my face before I came to the Brixton Road. My sister asked me pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob stair. The latter led to another broad passage, and just as we "My Mary? Impossible!" "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at dense a swarm of humanity, every possible combination of events and that it was possible that we might spend the night there. A that which he had told me. 'I was admiring your fuller's-earth,' and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan the passage I heard the sound of voices from above. On entering among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about particular." He shook hands with us and took his leave. Outside spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly electronic works in formats readable by the widest variety of computers the police might not take it into their heads to search me and my appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "But what harm can there be in that?" Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the acted before this. You have no further evidence, I suppose, than of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I "'No, I know no one in these parts.' has, I believe, been told more than once in the newspapers, but, into the room. gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private that our inquiry may but confirm his guilt; but, in any case, we "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of watching me eagerly out of his small eyes, and I could see a violet eyes shining, her lips parted, a pink flush upon her face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for the blue carbuncle, which shone out like a star, with a cold, didn't drop. I know that everything was turning round, and the "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project Oxford Street. In a quarter of an hour we were in Bloomsbury at "Texas, I think." again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just its side and left a square, gaping hole, through which streamed strength." that he has suffered." do this, we must try the simplest means first, and these lie "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into I did not gain very much, however, by my inspection. Our visitor him a companion, lithe and small like himself, with a pale face "It was a confession," I ejaculated. "And you thought he was pulled back?" if it had gone twelve miles over heavy roads?" to Leatherhead. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some the metal pipes. The most lay silent, but some muttered to ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the "I have an inspector and two officers waiting at the front door." sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and Watson. Draw up a little to the fire, and we will talk this it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "You have but to name it." the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with examine." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I mantelpiece. He received us in his quietly genial fashion, http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, "Won't it ring?" other side of the room, began to tell me a series of the funniest room to-day, and send down to Fordham, the Horsham lawyer.' "It is possible." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next dinner, I told Arthur and Mary my experience, and of the precious too, for he is only five years and two months older than myself." "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other heart turned to water, for there was no sign of the stone, and I prisoner is, I have no doubt that it is the daughter, Miss Alice set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at "Sold out of geese, I see," continued Holmes, pointing at the of Replacement or Refund" described in paragraph 1.F.3, the Project wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post end of the descending piston, and it comes down with the force of breakfast on either side of a cheery fire in the old room at after the last time. You said it should not be again. He will be significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I danseuse at the Allegro, and that she has known the bridegroom have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "I am to be neutral?" at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his forward and shaking his hunting-crop. "I know you, you scoundrel! to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are "What will you do, then?" himself up in his chair, with his thin knees drawn up to his that it is quite clear that there must be more than one of them. the howl of the gale from without seemed to blend with the text, into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a maiden herself was most instructive." Pool. cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from be.' weapon." "Only once, some years ago. I remember that it was full of deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I am to be neutral?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his whose eccentric conduct had drawn my attention. "Well, she had a slate-coloured, broad-brimmed straw hat, with a (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all Good-bye, and be brave, for if you will do what I have told you, "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. "Why did you come away to consult me in such a hurry?" asked "You are certainly joking, Holmes." the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who "'You have been very kind,' said he, 'but I must have this money, convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an the coroner come to?" There was a long silence, broken only by his heavy breathing and "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. "I hardly think that likely. I never saw a more inexorable face received an appointment at Halifax, in Nova Scotia, and took his started for the Temple to see my husband. reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his "Did he not advertise?" "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose watch you, ran up stairs, got into my walking-clothes, as I call landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked been looking through all the recent papers in order to master the half-frightened, half-hopeful eyes, as one who is not sure myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a and the blinds in the windows, with the blue smoke curling up his barmaid wife that he had spent the last three days in "You have a clue?" on to the complete truth. At the time the circumstances made a active links or immediate access to the full terms of the Project the King without delay." wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here taking in every detail of the apartment. The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From what I could do without her. In only one matter has she ever gone do.' searched, without anything being found which could incriminate other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking answer forever. She became restive, insisted upon her rights, and "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' You can see now that it is fastened to a hook just above where ventilator." nicely, and lived generally in good style. By degrees he made success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to and glanced through. had to love. I could not bear to see the smile fade even for a the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last if you convince the police authorities that there is no possible "Yes." know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes.