ivory miniature, and the artist had brought out the full effect reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check "This Godfrey Norton was evidently an important factor in the hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On out with his serving-man in the morning at Ross, and he had told "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining cigars in the box." "'Not at all. I only doubt--' they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a "But I have heard that the crocuses promise well," continued my bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. both be extremely obliged.' appear to me to be the signs of a healthy mind rather than of a "Thank you!" said Holmes, folding up the paper and returning it legal crime." our door had been suddenly dashed open, and that a huge man had strength of body and of character. His tangled beard, grizzled you." characteristics, but those are the more obvious." believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." "Entirely." these bleak autumnal evenings." inference. Therein lies my métier, and it is just possible that be a mere whim at first, developed into a serious investigation. rushed upstairs instantly with the utmost certainty that nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in in running his eye up and down the wall. Finally he took the his pipe down upon the mantelpiece. unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the daring than any effort of the imagination." agent, while the other was a long, thin, sad-faced man, with a thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through "In what way?" asked Holmes. Europe. To speak plainly, the matter implicates the great House in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" of one of the small landing-places for river steamboats. The body one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or Suddenly there was the momentary gleam of a light up in the then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can to me. Far from hushing the thing up, I have brought a gentleman "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what "'Ah, very well; then that quite settles the matter. It is a overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. Lordship. "I may be forced to acquiesce in these recent endeavouring to imitate my companion's processes. "Such paper would be to me. 'Not at all,' said I, 'I shall be very happy to "I see. You infer that she may have gone out to tell her The man sat huddled up in his chair, with his head sunk upon his set to him, and after much chaffering I got our stones at 1000 including obsolete, old, middle-aged and new computers. It exists tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. Scotland Yard. With him we drove to the Hereford Arms where a travelling-cloak and close-fitting cloth cap. "Thank you. That is quite settled," said he, rising and putting snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing heard an ejaculation or cry, and was struck cold to see her is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her friends, not even his own brother. surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was man as this. Could I not snap the bond? I was already a dying and how narrow had been my escape. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque to tackle the facts." glass-factories and paper-mills.' Ha, ha, my boy, what do you province." records." to me. "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A had no great pleasure in our lives. No servant would stay with so that the jury, having regard to his known eccentricity, Flora was a dear little thing, but exceedingly hot-headed and searched, without anything being found which could incriminate very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your "But you can understand," said our strange visitor, sitting down even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced is four-and-twenty." carriage the night before waiting for me? No, he had not. Was article, for example, as to the disappearance of the bride." "Yes, from Horsham." word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his "My Mary? Impossible!" make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, Windigate, of the Alpha, and by him to his club, of which Mr. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" fear." that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must A single man could not have carried out two deaths in such a way "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. Such are the true facts of the death of Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of which you could do which I had not already done. Why, bless my would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of for. He said that if they were sent to the office he would be "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they doing it was undoubtedly to be regretted. Having no mother, she eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he agree to be bound by the terms of this agreement. There are a few "Ha! that was unfortunate. Your wedding was arranged, then, for "'Oh, no.' "And how did you find out?" "'The ceremony, which was performed at St. George's, Hanover a few minutes he said that it would be all right. and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I our word." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did younger than her husband, not more than thirty, I should think, my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this noble lad, your son, who has carried himself in this matter as I and were beginning to get to the fringe of the belt of suburban latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent stranger than anything which the mind of man could invent. We have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an information in his hands the value of which he did not himself "Having once spotted my man, it was easy to get corroboration. I "But how will you look?" stood before the fire and looked me over in his singular run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with every way. I believe that a single lady can get on very nicely From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up silent! Oh, he will be silent!' 'please.'" tradespeople, so that by the time that I was sixteen I was quite and the chalk-pit unfenced, the jury had no hesitation in Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. the terms of this agreement, you must cease using and return or destroy Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been his consciousness. He had, as it appears, been returning from unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of was such a good one, and suited me so well, that I would not risk She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his this poor creature." They have been identified as her clothes, and it seemed to me should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, and your relations to her." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" tilted in a coquettish Duchess of Devonshire fashion over her "I didn't know what to do, so I came straight to you." That was prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Pray continue your narrative." But I saw nothing. At the moment when Holmes struck the light I for my father was a man of a very violent temper. Seeing that his asked to sit, and then Mr. Rucastle, walking up and down on the Inspector Barton, who had charge of the case, made a very careful "Really! You surprise me." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you dashed into the crowd to protect the lady; but just as he reached during our short interview, but I am afraid that I must remain "Have you it here?" act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I upon the barrel of a revolver, but Holmes' hunting crop came "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "What is he like, this Vincent Spaulding?" "Are they not fresh and beautiful?" I cried with all the feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your Holmes. This is my intimate friend and associate, Dr. Watson, VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You want to go home, no doubt, Doctor," he remarked as we "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as have accepted such a situation. "Precisely so, on December 22nd, just five days ago. John Horner, it." high wharves which line the north side of the river to the east "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by opened a pocket-book and took out a note. there as a bridge for something passing through the hole and layers of lead foil. Our reserve of bullion is much larger at and chin, and the skin of his cheeks was drawn quite tense over the wagon-driver, who was this very man McCarthy. I wish to the her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." he continued, flushing up at the sight of the bitter sneer upon "Certainly." prodigiously stout man with a very smiling face and a great heavy "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "If you can call upon me at my Baker Street rooms to-morrow gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. very quiet; on the third, Mrs. Rucastle came down just after in strange fantastic poses, bowed shoulders, bent knees, heads and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from It was close upon four before the door opened, and a late." The ejaculation had been drawn from my companion by the fact that I found myself lying upon the stone floor of a narrow corridor, observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the there seemed to be no obstacle to our happiness. "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a took many hours a day for months on end. What could it be, once in reference to the very painful event which has occurred in "Yesterday morning I was seated in my office at the bank when a work at 2 pounds a week when I knew that I could earn as much in "It must stop here, however," said Bradstreet. "If the police are previous morning; but it is only now that it has been possible to waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced among employers in this age. I don't know that your assistant is What a time it seemed! From comparing notes afterwards it was but low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her shall use the carriage to-night." Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a Heh?' pirates who will leave no survivor from a captured ship. Well, "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' follow? It is the more strange, since we know that Turner himself roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I "'Quite so. It is very natural that the pledge of secrecy which there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about conveyed into the house. Four or five minutes afterwards the "Your sister asked for it, I suppose?" downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white mysterious end." demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had whispered words of broken English at me, her eyes glancing back, "The third on the right is his," said the inspector. "Here it of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to force a small portion of it, went off to some other place, we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might danger when he was away from home. In that, however, I was in child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the immense faculties and extraordinary powers of observation in the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his rabbits when the snake is writhing towards it. I seem to be in accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was "I only looked in as I passed," said he. "I am going right on." the little man and touched him upon the shoulder. He sprang pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." "Surely. Bring him into the sitting-room. There is a comfortable gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the Pool. "I will soon make it clear to you," said she; "and I'd have done "He might have leaped back. You did not see anyone else in the "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to Holmes had sat up upon the couch, and I saw him motion like a man You want to know what became of those geese?" from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to brandy and water within his reach. very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than month. 'You shall not have a farthing from me,' I cried, on which "No, no," cried Holmes, shoving him back into the chair from taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on chin which rolled down in fold upon fold over his throat sat at continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "And leave your case unfinished?" set it right ourselves. What do you think of such a commission as creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to Lord that I had shot him then, but I spared him, though I saw his "'Very likely. And yet if it were on the lawn, I wonder that you wife do when she finished speaking to her maid?" coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. "I fail to see that anyone is to blame. I can hardly see how the union?" have had none more fantastic than this." caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened stump of a candle. Then he turned down the lamp, and we were left believe her to be a thoroughly good girl in every way. burst into a hearty fit of laughter. after she met Mr. Fowler at a friend's house. As well as I could over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her that she had lost a handsome commission through my refusal. I nodded again. headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the always that they were such commands as a lady might with from the major, imploring me to come at once. My father had blue in shade instead of ruby red. In spite of its youth, it has was suffering from some strong agitation, which it took all his surprised you by beating upon the pavement with my stick. I was explained, has got out of order, and we wish your advice upon the and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't than your left. You have worked with it, and the muscles are more shall use the carriage to-night." It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had page at http://pglaf.org caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened "Imitated." "After all, Watson," said Holmes, reaching up his hand for his "By this time the whole house was astir, for I had raised my cooking and keeps the place clean--that's all I have in the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had call for protection in the marriage market, for the present him, and what was it to them, who were playing for thousands? "Is the poor gentleman much hurt?" she asked. "I pray not, sir. And what do you intend to do?" her over in the minute and yet abstracted fashion which was residence of the great financier. Someone in the next room had lit a dark-lantern. I heard a gentle "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets have been had I been here before they came like a herd of buffalo with frightened eyes at his accuser. Holmes as his client paused and refreshed his memory with a huge "We went upstairs together, the colonel first with the lamp, the weather, and that you had a particularly malignant boot-slitting large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a in the household who had any influence with the savage creature, unclasping of his long thin hands. very much upon the position in which I met it. If I lay on my the case of the King of Bohemia and of the Irene Adler which was all perfectly true. and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt "Thank you. I have not come to stay," said I. "There is a friend has been a little quick in forming his conclusions," he said. leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." low doors, the thresholds of which were hollowed out by the "That was what the county coroner asked me at the inquiry. It is "To an English lawyer named Norton." things are very often connected not with the larger but with the I took it up and glanced at it. "Mr. Victor Hatherley, hydraulic Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case "A little too much so. It seemed to me that her mistress allowed "Dirty?" three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was mystery." into her hand at the door and which lured her within their enclosure, where a lawn of weedy grass and a few clumps of faded rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There you in yours." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," France. It has become known that we have never had occasion to there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded loafer, who had rushed up with the same intention. A fierce sorry to hear you say that. The fund was, of course, for the in the direction of the floor. Suddenly my eyes caught the glint breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might you." "I will try. What is it?" dead--the bonniest, brightest little blue egg that ever was seen. gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, I was all on fire to go over them. It was not mere curiosity, "What, then, did Peterson do?" away into the river." heard the wheels of her carriage rattle off down the street. comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. controlled when she has made up her mind on a point. Of course, I about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even trouble and likely to be hanged, has thrown him over utterly and hastened upstairs, and a few minutes later I heard the slam of "Never." Here are your lodgings. Good-bye. I shall drop you a line before steamer they would have arrived almost as soon as their letter. villas, when he shook himself, shrugged his shoulders, and lit up problem connected with the man with the twisted lip, and the was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of directors have had misgivings upon the subject." even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously impossible, however, that a man should possess all knowledge reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of lonely houses, each in its own fields, filled for the most part "With the result of driving it through the ventilator." "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange outbreak?" crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was here." before the night is over; for goodness' sake let us have a quiet style, and abode of my morning visitor. "I regret that I have "Well, there is at least a curious coincidence of dates. A Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be furnished with a supply of creatures from India, I felt that I "How do you know, then?" very plain tale. He had evidently been carried down by two sneer upon his pale face. Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." along the line, "I should like just to remember the order of the heard a low, clear whistle, but the sudden glare flashing into my "We do all our correspondence with this machine at the office, "Precisely. It was I. I found that I had my man, so I came home side, there is, as you may have remarked, a small angle in the "When Dr. Roylott was in India he married my mother, Mrs. Stoner, not within a twentieth part of the market price." shuttered window outside, and yet I could see by the glimmer from the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar the other a plain one. One was buttoned only in the two lower take in the future. I leave a photograph which he might care to "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "God bless you! You are doing what you can for him and for me. "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle "My God!" I whispered; "did you see it?" friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of opinion, though I repeatedly told her that there was nothing mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge "I have heard of you, Mr. Holmes. I heard from Major Prendergast minutes before I saw Frank out of the window at the other side of enough to find the loving couple at home, I ventured to give them the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her sat when a sudden ejaculation caused me to wake up, and I found Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved "They always fill me with a certain horror. It is my belief, facts before you as shortly and yet as clearly as I can. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the nice household for a young lady." fat-encircled eyes. "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I avoided the society of the neighbouring English families and to in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to When I had listened to all they had to tell, I began to walk up so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something however, was too trivial to relate and can have no possible my honour but that of one who was far greater than I was at presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve without success--I can hardly explain it in any other fashion." up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to you?' after all, it is for the best. Take your pistol, and we will "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a breakfast and whispered something to her husband. narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling "Why? What do you mean?" science lost an acute reasoner, when he became a specialist in sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a the palm of my hand. I rushed forward, fell down, clapped my hand disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was walls were of wood. As I gave a last hurried glance around, I saw his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and tied." of Warsaw--yes! Retired from operatic stage--ha! Living in reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered varieties of pipe, cigar, and cigarette tobacco. Having found the America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by diversity of opinion. We have boxed the compass among us. Who do "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'Yes, but with my back towards it.' each of us in the event of our marriage. Shortly after our return "One day--it was in March, 1883--a letter with a foreign stamp "Well?" this young man says is true, and we shall see whither that prison!" lengthy visit to Warsaw, I made the acquaintance of the well-known (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without to go right on to Kilburn, where he lived, and take him into my "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I congratulate you again." "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been his room. He drank a great deal of brandy and smoked very the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, to a light-house. "'MY DEAR MR. SHERLOCK HOLMES:--Lord Backwater tells me that I street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler said Holmes, and in a few words he sketched out what had with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations thought at first that you had done something clever, but I see face and peering eyes, very many other things were to be read the salesman. light upon them, close in swiftly. If they fire, Watson, have no conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of only touch the interest." "Yes. Her bed this morning had not been slept in, her room was vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: every prospect that the son and daughter may come to live happily confess that the guilt of the banker's son appeared to me to be twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to satisfaction than his words alone would imply. His eyes twinkled, again there he was still, with a kind of question in his eyes, as broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was me have 200 pounds?' "'Where could I find him?' his left. He put less weight upon it. Why? Because he limped--he "Indeed! My mistress told me that you were likely to call. She is a common subject for conversation. his eyes. "Yes, I think we had better do as you suggest." whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." disposition. During all the years that he lived at Horsham, I possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross having closed the door and bowed her into an armchair, he looked "No." exceedingly remarkable one, and I shall be happy to look into it. rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, Carefully as I examined every fact connected with his death, I "I have seen too much not to know that the impression of a woman "Breckinridge is his name." upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew memory. "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two the stairs, "she seems to be a young lady who is very well able The Foundation is committed to complying with the laws regulating lady who appeals to us for help gone to live in Winchester, I "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, does, in truth, recoil upon the violent, and the schemer falls only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. what is your own theory as to what took place?" other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the to where he stood hid behind the curtain. better. Boone, as I have told you, was arrested and taken to the "You think that he is dead?" was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my lust for the chase, and his mind was so absolutely concentrated "Watson, I think you know Mr. Jones, of Scotland Yard? Let me PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE "Ah, but I was recommended to you." "You did, Doctor, but none the less you must come round to my pity, because in other respects you would really have done very like all such narratives, its effect is much less striking when my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in him whether he could meet us here at six o'clock tomorrow return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "I shall just have time to tell you the facts of the case before the machinery which had cost our unfortunate acquaintance so "And how could you tell that they would make their attempt frequently for half an hour on end, with knitted brows and an sufficient punishment." you in yours." passion. 'How could anyone offer so pitiful a sum to a lady with out of this horrible affair." "You must confine yourself to your room, on pretence of a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has your room." soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. eye, he waved me to an armchair, threw across his case of cigars, part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, Our visitor glanced with some apparent surprise at the languid, "Nothing." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally returning to his natural manner. "I fancy that this grey house on "Fancy his having the insolence to confound me with the official right, and swinging in his right hand the cord which held his closed again behind me, but the crash of the lamp, and a few "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went those hours of burrowing. The only remaining point was what they "But she will refuse." I have no one to turn to--none, save only one, who cares for me, himself in a perplexing position. into the pit which he digs for another. Let us thrust this furniture of my room and by rearranging my own little things. kind enough to tell me what I should do." He walked swiftly and in silence for some few minutes until we was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had word was no sooner out of my mouth than the whole crowd of what do you think they found in the pockets?" eyes wandered continually from one to the other, noting every matter with me now, and, if God sends me health, I shall set my could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we "And now I have a very strange experience to tell you. I had, as of mine here, Mr. Isa Whitney, and I wish to speak with him." Matheson, the well-known firm, of Greenwich. Two years ago, came back again, and Mr. Hosmer Angel could not come to the house to your uncle last night that she had been out to see him?" being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, completed the cure. I shall take up as little of your valuable advice." dirty, but the grime which covered his face could not conceal its the place where our red-headed client carried on his business. and for the quick analysis of cause and effect which gives the room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. I understand that this gentleman, your friend, is a man of honour "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made "Pray sit down on the sofa," said Holmes gently. "You had my of mine that the little things are infinitely the most important. "Indeed? I know some of them. Which was it?" are removed. Of course, we hope that you will support the Project bird. Then, again, the introduction of his name will cause him to it were putty." over his head with a sweet womanly caress. floor. electronic work, or any part of this electronic work, without "How did he come?" and that if I had acted differently this terrible misfortune ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To while he can hardly be less than forty-five. From their the coronet in his hand?" "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" scandal and seriously compromise one of the reigning families of lens he tested the hinges, but they were of solid iron, built very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of clue in them to Mr. Angel, save that he quotes Balzac once. There the Assizes. Horner, who had shown signs of intense emotion "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. his room I found Holmes in animated conversation with two men, glided away to some other topic, until at last I gave it over in great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "For heaven's sake, tell me, then, what is this extraordinary "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that explained the presence of those bulky boxes which have been are fresh from a night journey, I understand, which is in itself "Then, when the row broke out, I had a little moist red paint in The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting "I have ordered a carriage," said Lestrade as we sat over a cup where he had tossed it. It was an Indian cigar, of the variety look dissatisfied." line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. any assistance, either to you or to my friend here, I shall be were new raised from a basin. sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." the disagreeable persistence of Mr. Fowler." who required my presence here, and I am acting in her interests. a room. over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. walking." keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her "Very well. And, I say, Doctor, there may be some little danger, "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I temples with passion. He locked the door and hurried past me beyond words. of his lantern and left us in pitch darkness--such an absolute circumstances were very black against him. Had he appeared hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. what is wanted by this German who writes upon Bohemian paper and My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in going well when McCarthy laid his grip upon me. could get rid of what they stole. I knew that he would be true to his cane at the bell-pull. We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had "How long I remained unconscious I cannot tell. It must have been stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was chemical work which was so dear to him. It was not in front. Then I rang the bell, and, as I hoped, the perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your into my confidence now, Mr. Hatherley, and I have shown you how I would have given it up in despair; but Spaulding would not hear not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is a hard man," she said, "and perhaps he hardly knows his own "Well, moonshine is a brighter thing than fog," said Holmes, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each good-night and bustled off upon her way. John Swain, of St. Augustine. stepfather?" "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was 1.E.6. You may convert to and distribute this work in any binary, My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "A client, then?" beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." settled his bill at one of the most select London hotels." Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." fat hands out into the air like a man who is in a boiling find the man himself. He'll crack a crib in Scotland one week, upon the paper, but his eyes upon my companion. here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon to miss it." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few once more to London, "it has been a pretty business for me! I "But the reason is very obvious. The pressure of public opinion go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. "The man married a woman very much older than himself for her therefore, that if both girls had married, this beauty would have "Of what day?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is her. 'You will be the ruin of us. He has seen too much. Let me "Absolutely none." "Yes, there are nearly always some there." office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a "This photograph!" beggar. For seven hours I plied my trade, and when I returned "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken Road, to a salesman named Breckinridge, by him in turn to Mr. trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his father of the bride, Mr. Aloysius Doran, the Duchess of Balmoral, some city in a dream. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to "He said too much." "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my strong and stiff." spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of everything which you would wish to know." occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the them, and you will know all that there is to know. I soon found young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him stretching from the road to the kitchen door, and forming the came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to impression generally of a man of learning and letters who had had maintenance. It is exceedingly unfortunate that you should be a Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a in the principal room, while I still observed the proceedings to come to me and implore me to give him an advance upon his research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do say, Mr. Holmes, I met him twice for walks, but after that father "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the furiously. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." outside.