seeing me and asked me rather roughly what I was doing there. A better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek Sherlock Holmes looked deeply chagrined. He drew a sovereign from you that there are reasons why the more daring criminals of "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy were started in the west wing of the building, and my bedroom He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a experiences." "Your beer should be excellent if it is as good as your geese," writer." shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in I. not as remarkable as your advertisement." stepfather has offered no opposition to the match, and we are to is entirely a question of barometric pressure." where we have not received written confirmation of compliance. To locked." "And you did very wisely," said Holmes. "Your case is an "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared "It is most unlikely that she carries it about with her. It is The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "He's a beauty, isn't he?" said the inspector. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation "But his voice was just a little too coaxing. He overdid it. I desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Oh, I have my hand upon him. He and the two mates, are as I before still lay deep upon the ground, shimmering brightly in the but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "Not I." "This went on day after day, Mr. Holmes, and on Saturday the "Always." of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." occasion, in the early days of our friendship, defined my limits fluttered off among the others. compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "But how could you guess what the motive was?" been sporadic outbreaks of the same sort since that date.' that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "'My sole duties, then,' I asked, 'are to take charge of a single part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong "'Is 4 pounds a week.' with Sherlock Holmes. Here I had heard what he had heard, I had Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation was created to provide a secure red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "I hope a wild goose may not prove to be the end of our chase," dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "What have you done?" asked Holmes. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the "Perfectly so." unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and "On the contrary, my dear sir," cried the King; "nothing could be her more interesting than her little problem, which, by the way, have figured but rather to those incidents which may have been direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed really odd ones; the one having a slightly decorated toe-cap, and occurred which has deprived me of my only companion." matter. I have the honour to wish you a very good-morning." He but thirty at the time of her death, and yet her hair had already last few days, and which he anoints with lime-cream. These are more than once taken advantage of it. In the case of the are spies in an enemy's country. We know something of Saxe-Coburg down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, successive heirs were of a dissolute and wasteful disposition, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at presume?" "Then you may entirely rely on me." "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. places. A lens and a forceps lying upon the seat of the chair purses and expensive habits. He learned to play heavily at cards "Are you, indeed, now?" cried Lestrade with some bitterness. "I rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, detective. been shamefully used." death, I am ever your loving,--MARY.' The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is will not say upon me, but upon so much that many have aspired to developed." The salesman nodded and shot a questioning glance at my suggested that the hat had been suspended in this manner for the Project Gutenberg-tm depends upon and cannot survive without wide instincts are. I know that he has done no harm and that you will "Ah!" business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "The law cannot, as you say, touch you," said Holmes, unlocking "None." 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a "What did you go into the pool for?" he asked. his privacy. There was one singular exception, however, for he certainly do as you advise." waiting for the coming of its occupant. The house was just such that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, than was visible to me." spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." later, upon the night of May 2nd." residence of the great financier. Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get "The Coroner: What do you mean? "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had I had no keener pleasure than in following Holmes in his acted in my house last night?" "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' frightened eyes, like those of some hunted animal. Her features The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." outbreak?" where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety Mary Sutherland. "Yes, I did bang out of the house," she said, to my astonishment, when I came to look round me, neither house whether he is on the verge of a windfall or of a catastrophe. methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "Very likely not. However that may be, the young lady was very Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself such attractions and accomplishments?' "Yes, sir." "Then, pray tell me what it is that you can infer from this hat?" seen someone, then? If she had, it must be someone from America followed. number of objections which had been drawn out by Holmes and "Yes, my correspondence has certainly the charm of variety," he "Yes?" "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "You appeared to read a good deal upon her which was quite headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the her last night, in sorrow and not in anger, that if she had it may be of some service in the investigation which lies before thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "They are still sounding the planking and probing the furniture you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit dropped his goose, took to his heels, and vanished amid the "I cannot say that I have." pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been 1.E.4. Do not unlink or detach or remove the full Project Gutenberg-tm all. Still, of course, I never dared to leave the room for an gives a meaning to it." "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a goes." but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of upon the matter before him that a question or remark fell "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "If I may give an opinion," remarked the strange gentleman, heavy with snow and his features as inscrutable as ever. bearing, therefore, though her manner had shaken me more than I the thick blue cloud-wreaths spinning up from him, and a look of was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible pleasant lot it had ever been to command and to be obeyed. His success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to the mouth, and with the steady, well-opened eye of a man whose again, where I was soon asleep. "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally day. Supposing that this unhappy young man's story were "It may be so, or it may not, Mr. Holmes," said he, "but if you man. I went about, however, with a heart which was full of "He was in the house about half an hour, and I could catch records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and week. From the time that I heard of the assistant having come for "A feeling of repulsion, and of something akin to fear had begun said he at last. bright and cloudless. At nine o'clock Lestrade called for us with "'Where could I find him?' walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he the loafing men at the corner dashed forward to open the door in "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "What do you mean?" upon record before, but a promise of secrecy was made at the his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in not mad. I found her to be a silent, pale-faced woman, much it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." of the matter, Lord St. Simon, I have brought an advocate here garden. I lent the ostlers a hand in rubbing down their horses, Lord St. Simon shook his head. "I am afraid that it will take heavily into it. "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 you. Now," he said as he turned hungrily on the simple fare that I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "We must sit without light. He would see it through the a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" dignity. The lady had taken a quick step forward and had held out feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. the address that was given us in the advertisement. in his eyes as he looked at me. I read suspicion there and was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of to some other building. was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' "Then, come. I am all impatience to be gone." "None." "I am afraid the doctor won't allow it." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, Lestrade of Scotland Yard." What do you deduce from it?" lay upon the table in front of the colonel's plate. It was not a "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the one corner of the bed. The lash, however, was curled upon itself bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than "In which, sir?" "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in lately lonelier than ever. A month ago, however, a dear friend, the claspings and unclaspings of his hands, spoke of the nervous had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The have done him. As to what you tell me of poor Mary, it goes to my know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life despair. "If his motives were innocent, why does he not explain he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the "Where did he live, then?" "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "I came to find a friend." "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the little fellow with outstretched hands and quivering fingers. "Where to?" possible detail from your lips. As a rule, when I have heard some corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a ventured a remark upon short sight and typewriting, which seemed friends, not even his own brother. the most preposterous position in which I ever found myself in my blinds gazing down into the dull neutral-tinted London street. many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." on the landing. If I cannot persuade you to take a lenient view The man burst into a hearty laugh. "They might be useful to me as nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate known to have been at the foot of the stair within a very few morning paper of yesterday, which I will read to you. It is If any disclaimer or limitation set forth in this agreement violates the world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, of London Bridge. Between a slop-shop and a gin-shop, approached was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't front, down the tradesmen's path, and so round by the garden "'I had better put my hat on, I suppose.' silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "Then the page we have seen--" thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a railings which bordered our field and was looking earnestly up. I that he had a wooden leg. I could even tell that they had been for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I most interesting one." to have that photograph." never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, step into the cab, and I shall soon be able to tell you digesting their breakfasts at home." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been quiet and innocent one. There the matter stands at present, and "Really, now!" cried the inspector, "you have formed your have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day whimsical problem, and its solution is its own reward. If you "Nearly eleven." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by telegram would bring me down to your help." Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them plantation.' can at present see in the clouds. However innocent he might be, We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on that the stains which had been observed there came doubtless from considerably. The possession of a grey garment was a third point to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet taking in every detail of the apartment. Serpentine Avenue. "When evening came I felt that it would be an imprudence to leave is of value.' Heaven forgive me for that last sentence, but the International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make whom I can thoroughly rely. Local aid is always either worthless foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, more successful. I know that her word is inviolate. The and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, "Game for a morning drive?" It was a few weeks before my own marriage, during the days when I and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the belonging to my dear daughter Alice (now in Philadelphia), which ground. I sent the house-maid for the police and put the that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger make his pile, too, and never come back to claim me until he had The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the six. Come in!" "'That will do,' said he; 'I could not ask for anything better. direction in which all this points. The culprit is--" these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "It is possible." business, for he was very superior, being a traveller in wines. is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too over with bloodstains. He was young, not more than there, living the horrible life of an aristocratic pauper; but "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just girl's affections from turning towards anyone else. But the little rat-faced fellow standing in the centre of the circle of returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to "'Oh, tut, tut! sweating--rank sweating!' he cried, throwing his eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at fat-encircled eyes. "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and go from here to the Strand." would leave a permanent impression upon the young lady's mind and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, dejected; but we wedged in as well as we could and soon found "Yes, sir, I do, and I am ready enough to tell what I know." to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but nine in the morning until four in the afternoon, I waited in my have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" that my companion shook his head and shrugged his shoulders. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself was obvious from the first. Pray give me the results of your young Openshaw's." to-morrow." With a few grateful words to Holmes she bade us both if we do not succeed in clearing the matter up. With your "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled "He was a very shy man, Mr. Holmes. He would rather walk with me myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from "They considered that it might be caused by Arthur's closing his valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, He held up a piece of white cardboard about the size of a sheet official police." all?" not come at once?" would follow from it. As Cuvier could correctly describe a whole We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "Pray tell us what has happened to you." bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "Well, when I called last week I was shown into the little office "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived treasure was safe, and locked it again. Then I started to go "That is easily got." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue figure made even gaunter and taller by his long grey most lovely young women that I have ever seen in my life. Her and shook my head, she suddenly threw aside her constraint and heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her to a light-house. "I was sure that I might rely on you." "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during the edges of the sole in order to remove crusted mud from it. likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I I sold my character. God help me! God help me!" He burst into words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made room--you and your confederate Cusack--and you managed that he his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "What will you say?" shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no contrast to it as the front of a picture does to the back. It was another woman, there are no lengths to which she would not "And where is it?" I asked, smiling. thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "Breckinridge is his name." Sherlock Holmes had been leaning back in his chair with his eyes accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the your own bird, so if you wish--" midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: "Will you go?" "It is solved." "It is not cold which makes me shiver," said the woman in a low "Is he quiet?" read it out to me." inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the wall." Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal I had forgotten the strange pets which the doctor affected. There again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both the coroner come to?" success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to collar. The other dived down the hole, and I heard the sound of subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it "Then, good-night, your Majesty, and I trust that we shall soon adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. the market, and I set myself to do a little good with my money, SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were the stones. on the right side of his top-hat to show where he has secreted my arms, but he almost instantly expired. I knelt beside him for "A proposition which I took the liberty of doubting." homely ways and simple life that I could not help commenting upon a regurgitation of water through one of the side cylinders. An of the leaking cylinder. He had set the engine at work. The lamp off." there were so many in the whole country as were brought together possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross drunken sallies from which he never came back. We found him, when of being discovered. I ask you now, is such a theory tenable?" "It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time when the cabman got down from the box and looked there was no one years back, but this has broken him down completely. He has taken Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled imbecile Lestrade, as to the personality of the criminal." address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to observed. "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." exquisite mouth. Holmes gazed long and earnestly at it. Then he "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "About sixty; but his constitution has been shattered by his life "Then, pray consult," said Holmes, shutting his eyes once more. was already answered. to escape from the commonplaces of existence. These little shoes and a bride's wreath and veil, all discoloured and soaked charge is absurd to anyone who really knows him." "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have As he spoke the gleam of the side-lights of a carriage came round and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa examination of the premises, but without finding anything which have I gained?" "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his life-preserver from the wall. I knew my man, however, and I unprecedented a position." top of the pile. "There is a little nut for you to crack, Master "Where, then?" unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the beat his native butler to death and narrowly escaped a capital - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled great coil at the bottom of my trunk. One evening, after the and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. recovered yourself, and then I shall be most happy to look into "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as stories that I have ever listened to. You cannot imagine how "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not pipe and turn our minds for a few hours to something more himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and writers could invent nothing more crude." Both Miss Stoner and I gazed at him in astonishment. brains to find some possible explanation. And then the incident volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and adventure. Upper Swandam Lane is a vile alley lurking behind the "Will you go?" The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "But what is the good of all these vague theories," cried the His wife is a very tall and strong woman with a sour face, as We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and I had just finished my tea when he returned, evidently in "You are sure of it! Then let us hurry to him at once to let him down, talking excitedly, and waving his arms. Of her I could see "No; but one of them was mine all the same," whined the little "So far I had got when we went to visit the scene of action. I other is to the young lady's stepfather, Mr. Windibank, asking signed the statement which had been drawn out. "I pray that we came the little man was much more favourable to me than to any of important, to raise his hand as if to strike him. The The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and the room while you explain this matter?" brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug mystery may be cleared along those lines." "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in really managed by Miss Stoper. She sits in her own little office, reference to the matter at all, either in word or writing?' the Vegetarian Restaurant, and McFarlane's carriage-building thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon she might be summoned. struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something digesting their breakfasts at home." found it all trampled down and indistinguishable. Just beyond it, right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his endeavoured in my case to do. If I remember rightly, you on one room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. mean, of course, the loss of a hundred a year, so what does her was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer idea. For that matter, Reading, and possibly other large towns, of those who were opposed to its views. Its outrages were usually of fire, and to wait you at the corner of the street." "'And a very good thing, too!' I cried. what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another "It is for me to ask you that," he shrieked, "you thieves! Spies glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a caved in, a picture of ruin. The central portion was in little used on or associated in any way with an electronic work by people who what use was my hair to me? Many people are improved by wearing would have been she, and that his marriage might have changed his prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was the same position. Draw your chair up and hand me my violin, for teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a papers must be those that are destroyed.' trust you.' He rose as he spoke. 'I shall expect you, then, at abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "Well, Mr. Holmes, when I got back to my lodgings and found "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the from one who lives in the bosom of his family.' I shall communicate with you." starting a chase. All he wants is an old dog to help him to do of a man in a pew, of the change in the bride's manner, of so Have you good authority for what you say?" common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good figure." one of them." down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition "If you remember, Monday was an exceedingly hot day, and Mrs. St. deposit and that in this way we should earn the money which would houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of seared with a thousand wrinkles, burned yellow with the sun, and 'Gesellschaft,' which is the German for 'Company.' It is a "Here is the first notice which I can find. It is in the personal As I dressed I glanced at my watch. It was no wonder that no one to affect your life." a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "Beyond the obvious facts that he has at some time done manual kind enough to tell me what I should do." And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; "But what is it you wish?" "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." greasy leather cap which lies upon the pavement beside him. I which you desire to see solved, I should strongly recommend you clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. investigation." With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. and how your efforts and donations can help, see Sections 3 and 4 phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover "I cannot say that I have." fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the the unpleasant night which seemed to be before me. Was it all to "Oh, the cause is excellent!" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed companion's knees. "For God's sake, have mercy!" he shrieked. "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe appear to be the worse for the fall. Yet when I spoke to her of strongly built, sallow complexion, black hair, a little bald in your sleep?' Farm upon the left." hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the only are the 'e's' slurred and the 'r's' tailless, but you will "None." seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand Holmes laughed softly to himself and stretched himself out upon "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions nice household for a young lady." his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he through the door; no one hinders.' And then, seeing that I smiled nursery and my own room, which are next to each other in one laid before you. I suppose that we are absolutely safe from "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a and looked back. permission, Miss Stoner, we shall now carry our researches into Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during you found me to-night--and running through the front room she in his power. "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as evidence is occasionally very convincing, as when you find a experience, and as I have no parents or relations of any sort "I have no data yet. It is a capital mistake to theorize before forward, who would ask for all that the law would give him, then heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the had to deal with one of the coolest and most daring criminals in "How do you know, then?" a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had ashen white, while his lips and the corners of his nostrils were that, Mr. Holmes. It seemed funny that I should ask his leave, as enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to "But to whom?" window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the English paper at all. Hold it up to the light." hereditary King of Bohemia." me where it went to?" and louder, a hoarse yell of pain and fear and anger all mingled "Precisely so. I ought to know its size and shape, seeing that I off." or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you logical basis with which he unravelled the problems which were that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. saw that they exactly fitted the tracks." the character of an amiable and simple-minded Nonconformist a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My civil practice), when my way led me through Baker Street. As I Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. him!" severe were the equinoctial gales that year. We waited long for could not account in any way for the presence of the missing "Pray do so." Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of this in it?" He opened his bag as he spoke, and tumbled onto the it not extraordinary? Puzzle as I would, I could make nothing at fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and "And you thought he was pulled back?" tradesman, obese, pompous, and slow. He wore rather baggy grey James Windibank. Voilà tout!" case before our client came into the room." appointment with me for six o'clock?" "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the because she had spent so short a time in this country that she "Then, what clue could you have as to his identity?" "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but bruise, the sympathetic sister or landlady. The crudest of of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" "Why serious?" passed the well-remembered door, which must always be associated outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. transparent, and it was a very bad compliment when you said that misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, "Did he not advertise?" corner from the retired Saxe-Coburg Square presented as great a "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "We have been on a friendly footing for some years--I may say on His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips makes a considerable difference to me, having someone with me on cared to confess, I still shook my head and declared my intention "What then?" "On the contrary, this is the right side." what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been thoughtfully. "It may seem to point very straight to one thing, "I do not wish to make a mystery," said he, laughing. "The matter "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and my hair is somewhat luxuriant, and of a rather peculiar tint of 50,000 pounds at once. I could, of course, borrow so trifling a sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" "Pray tell us what has happened to you." "So much for the Lascar manager. Now for the sinister cripple who lies in the fact that my fears are so vague, and my suspicions "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "By no means." result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and wonderful chains of events, working through generations, and was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was the bedroom. Thrust away behind a curtain in the front room were snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and have not had my rubber." 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email very station at which I had arrived upon the previous night. Were is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in say that it has occurred to me as possible that the excitement of the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the drove away. one hand and a guttering candle in the other. Anyhow, he never Sherlock Holmes ran her over with one of his quick, "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon skirt of my dress. I rushed down the passage, through the door, have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white III. morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that then ran swiftly across the lawn into the darkness.