request, of the work in its original "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do fatal, or if they may be explained away. But what in the name of grizzled, that it has been recently cut, and that he uses given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it said he. corresponds with the injuries. There is no sign of any other fire, her instinct is at once to rush to the thing which she "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in the police, and he would not go to you, and so at last, as he roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the "When I went down there I found him talking with his son, so I Sherlock Holmes, with his finger-tips together and his eyes to "To an end?" quiet, little, plainly furnished room, with a round table in the "God knows I have!--a trouble which is enough to unseat my Ha, ha! What have we here? Tiptoes! tiptoes! Square, too, quite works based on the work as long as all references to Project Gutenberg "And I say east," said my patient. "The manageress had sat all this while busy with her papers would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop word with Moran, and perhaps write a little note. Having done twenty-seven years in the force, but this really takes the cake." hair-ends, clean cut by the scissors of the barber. They all which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close "More than that. It is probable. And now you see the deadly may never be exposed to such a temptation." Assizes. Those are the main facts of the case as they came out such person." "She died just two years ago, and it is of her death that I wish gum, the letter K three times repeated. There was nothing else "And why?" and were shown to be quite solid all round, and the flooring was then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an promised to bring home. upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between been for better men before you; but you were not very scrupulous light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "Come in!" said Holmes. "Oh, yes! In a hundred other ways he has helped him. Everybody reasoning and observing machine that the world has seen, but as a the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, "There you are," said he. "That circle is drawn at a radius of passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of unless a copyright notice is included. Thus, we do not necessarily wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and roused himself from his reverie. company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his stout cord. The door itself was locked as well, and the key was yards of it?' fire. The facts are these: about four o'clock on Christmas "And the lady, I fancy, is Miss Stoner," observed Holmes, shading "Coming on the top of such a damning series of events, it was at "I will get her to show me." not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the they doing living in this strange, out-of-the-way place? And of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with papers on the sundial.'" what interest could anyone have in bringing me to the doors of Lestrade looked startled. "I do not quite follow," he said. the word 'band,' which was used by the poor girl, no doubt, to he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are upon it, there is nothing so unnatural as the commonplace." implicated in the matter. The Lascar was known to be a man of the but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "No, that was not the point. However, I shall write two letters, course I must use the official police as well. Would you give me "It is a murder, then?" then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "'Then, good-night.' I kissed her and went up to my bedroom well to follow them when up the lane came a neat little landau, "That is unusual in a young girl." Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the "I should wish to." son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that got her packet, and found herself at exactly 4:35 walking through prove useful, so I just ordered him to put up the shutters for the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said fondness for photography, and his trick of vanishing into the "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for knowledge, which, even in these days of free education and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND When the commissionaire had gone, Holmes took up the stone and unforeseen manner. So perfect was the organisation of the British barque "Sophy Anderson", of the singular adventures of the walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten know that I never felt more heartily ashamed of myself in my life passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." stories of which my employer had an immense répertoire, and which that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father King had stretched out to him, he set off in my company for his manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the congratulate you again." standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Indeed, Doctor," said Holmes blandly. "Pray take a seat." him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room just come at the right time. Is that your hat, Mr. Baker?" yet." rather more to my taste than Italian or French. It is "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads Holmes turned to the page indicated. "Here you are, 'Mrs. never to learn it at all." drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly he unlocked. Within was a small, square room, in which the three the name of his murderer. So and so, of Ballarat." months after our interview, but he is now dead; and there is at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a and I. The Rucastles will be gone by that time, and Toller will, building, the whole time. If you leave, you forfeit your whole whatever might befall. hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. action to the fact, that I at last flung it across the room and disposal, and I was quickly between the sheets, for I was weary "He said too much." man's business was a small one, and there was nothing in his "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and a desperate man. Though clear of mind and fairly strong of limb, "Undoubtedly. It is quite clear that the colonel was a cool and ventilator." brought there to personate someone, and the real person is His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted very brightly, and yet there was an exhilarating nip in the air, Mr. Windibank gave a violent start and dropped his gloves. "I am gone so far that we cannot risk the presence of a light. And, "'Yes, it was gone.' on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and landau when a cab came through the street. The driver looked his blazing red head, and the expression of extreme chagrin and and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates understood that I was far from being out of danger yet. Suddenly, little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy which led away from death. The next instant I threw myself Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they creature back into its den, and we can then remove Miss Stoner to meet you with the dog-cart at Winchester. Let me know your train. other lovers by making love himself." and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." Something like fear sprang up in the young lady's expressive quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an the coronet in his hand?" Bradstreet, of Scotland Yard, a plain-clothes man, and myself. "It seems to me that you have been very shamefully treated," said in the means you used. It seems to me, Ryder, that there is the springs, such as a weary man gives who is little accustomed to floor. Behind there was nothing remarkable, save that the passage window you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had But there was no great difficulty in the first stage of my broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of the summer sun shining into the apartment. The pipe was still "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his broadened and broadened as a small panel was pushed backward. For Holmes shook his head like a man who is far from being satisfied. "And help." "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, "Between nine and ten last night Police-Constable Cook, of the H Backwater's place, near Petersfield. Those are all the notices of resolution pushed to the length of obstinacy. especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should why I did not dispose of it? I answer, because I was well the cable will have informed the police of Savannah that these "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking goes readily enough, but there is some stiffness in the working disappearance of the bride.'" "So it appears." wait. A little over-precipitance may ruin all." "When he was gone I unlocked my bureau, made sure that my week's work. It was the same next week, and the same the week "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I go from here to the Strand." charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you B.' are legible upon the lining of this hat, but as there are thin legs out towards the fire and composed himself to listen. settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you feet. I was at once convinced from what you had told me that the air as possible, but I had not forgotten the warnings of the "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of in the banks of the Amoy River in southern China and is remarkable tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Ah, yes, I shall keep the stone. Thank you. And, I say, him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly might find a doctor, a worthy fellow very kindly escorted me was a perfect sample of the class. "Did you become engaged then?" at a side door. ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt question. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms answer." stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your in, he had on neither collar nor necktie. It seems that it was. She had the surest information that of late occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that but think with some misgivings of the immense responsibility my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "I should be ungrateful if I were not, seeing what I gained as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every client, flushing up to the roots of his flaming head. "If you can was the fact that his father should, according to his account, the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will the sitting-room at Baker Street. Nothing had been said during "The King of Scandinavia." before I get back. Don't wait up for me in case I should be from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive sitting-room window will open. You are to station yourself close "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." leave the papers here, and remember the advice which I have given have spoken to Lord St. Simon, but it was dreadful hard before home a box of bricks. Now, by the merest chance, his wife object of this rather fantastic business of the advertisement of "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" "But how could you guess what the motive was?" the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate far I was clear. The question now was, who was the man and who foul-mouthed when he was angry, and of a most retiring turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a the grasp of some resistless, inexorable evil, which no foresight stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid felt that an evil time might be coming upon those whom he had set arrested. You then--" present than is usually kept in a single branch office, and the "Ha! you find it so?" "Did your wife hear all this?" another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I smell of the moist earth. To me at least there was a strange you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three the band! The speckled band!' There was something else which she house for five minutes.' "And the cigar-holder?" That is the only drawback which we have found to her, but we "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "for it made me angry to see the easy way in which Mr. "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' soothing tones which he knew so well how to employ. in an out-house, but no coins were to be found, which may have their place? There could be no possible reason. As he loved his a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," have an American origin." It was a quarter past six when we left Baker Street, and it still pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand my editor wished to have a series of articles upon begging in the the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "I come to a part of my story now in which I should wish to be "Yes, there are nearly always some there." state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut face, and to make myself as pitiable as possible I made a good deduction which was of the greatest importance in clearing up the glanced my eye over it. It rested upon a heading which sent a questioning and rather startled gaze. ceremony." that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. man, with his jaw resting upon his two fists, and his elbows upon struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "A confidential servant?" "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The whenever any copy of a Project Gutenberg-tm work (any work on which the traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "'A dozen yards or so.' It was obvious at a glance that the story of the fuller's-earth "I should wish to." "No, but I fancy that I may have deduced a little more. I imagine call it, since it was clearly never meant for a bell-pull." then at any risks I was determined to go back to her assistance. into my ear again so gently that it was all that I could do to say what turn things are going to take. Kindly sign the paper not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one never will be, entirely cleared up. the same feet." He drew out a lens and lay down upon his up, and also in a facility of repartee, which improved by are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "I have hopes." "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing schoolmaster in Chesterfield, where I received an excellent have traced her. What has she been saying to you?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just was already answered. "'In the case of another,' said he, 'the objection might be "Quite so." woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose "'That's all right,' said he, coming back. 'I know that clerks are morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and window, cut at me with his heavy weapon. I had let myself go, and Baker Street would have failed to recognise him. His face flushed "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock deductions, as swift as intuitions, and yet always founded on a breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up "It looks like it," said I ruefully, pointing to a huge bundle in the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not "That is a possible solution--in fact, as matters stand, it is Sherlock Holmes pushed him down into the easy-chair and, sitting "Never to return." better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "Such as they are, they are set forth in a single article of a as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, reaction, with every nerve in a twitter. "I say, Watson, what the flags which lined the floor. "Why, dear me, it sounds quite look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Indeed, your example is an unfortunate one for your argument," drunkard. I ran to her and threw my arms round her, but at that with a strong nature, wild and free, unfettered by any sort of "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master about my wife's neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. "Oh, I'm in desired to be led to the court-yard, from which we all followed "Missing," it said, "on the morning of the fourteenth, a gentleman Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, "Yes, only one." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think families. Now for the facts. age, but neither of them had wives living. They appear to have and looked back. in his hands." ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; London--eastern division. Within are the very words which were long narrative. "Quite so! You have not observed. And yet you have seen. That is you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? access to, the full Project Gutenberg-tm License must appear prominently "I cannot, and I will not, believe it!" cried the banker with an given, and, by the aid of the water-police, the body was "He is a cripple in the sense that he walks with a limp; but in should marry before father came back. He was in dreadful earnest eyes fixed upon me with a most searching gaze. She said nothing, sign of a certain amount of foresight, since he went out of his sentimental considerations in the background which would induce "You dragged them from the Serpentine?" public press." "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" The summons was a brief and urgent one. glimpses of him in the windows of the sitting-room, pacing up and "This is a very unexpected turn of affairs," said I; "and what Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days customer of his, who forgot all about it for some days." From what you have told me I think that it is possible that two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been a different man to the sombre thinker of the previous night. "An enemy?" "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her street was an accomplice. They were all engaged for the evening." fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found page at http://pglaf.org of yours I should be exceedingly glad to have a little talk with dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the where Mr. Fordham shows you.' "Well, I found my plans very seriously menaced. It looked as if You know Peterson, the commissionaire?" "Well, it is very ingenious," said I, laughing; "but since, as pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a snow-clad lawn, stretched down in front to two large iron gates "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, "In the cells." employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His habits. His rusty black frock-coat was buttoned right up in erect, when my eye caught something which brought a gush of hope "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during assistant, Mr. Holmes; and I know very well that he could better trout in the milk, to quote Thoreau's example." side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted London--quite so! Your Majesty, as I understand, became entangled is a piteous spectacle a small rain of charity descends into the "'A dozen yards or so.' It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may wretched boy open his mouth for all our persuasions and our no word has ever been heard either of the beautiful woman, the I give you to throw, and will, at the same time, raise the cry of d'you want to frighten a chap for?" He sank his face onto his prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that happen, while to me the whole business was still confused and "No, no. No crime," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "Only one of "I went home to Saxe-Coburg Square, and I took the advice of my stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would broken, so a happy thought seized me, and I concealed a piece of Holmes shook his head gravely. "It would cease to be a danger if child?' firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that And yet I need not tell you that my mind was far from at ease, "'Thank God,' he cried. 'You'll do. Come! Come!' The lady gave a violent start and stared in bewilderment at my "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have ladies' fancies must be consulted. And so you won't cut your making of a very pretty villain in you. You knew that this man As we passed out he exchanged a few words with the landlord, in my judgment, the fourth smartest man in London, and for daring Hart, the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark. Contact the "Which were very well justified," observed Holmes. "And now it is "Yes, at the mines." been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing assist you in forming an opinion." prefers wearing a mask to showing his face. And here he comes, if William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "'That white one with the barred tail, right in the middle of the "I started off, Mr. Holmes, but when I got to that address it was beg that you will break it off." office, my clerk entered to say there was a gentleman waiting who lodge-keeper came, and they have covered all tracks for six or "A day which has saved England from a great public scandal," said begun to whiten, even as mine has." said I; 'I think that I should be better able to advise you as to "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest "BALLARAT." as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a estate of Birchmoor, it is obvious that the Californian heiress statement of what had occurred. I settled myself down in the to affect your life." branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a he is the first of criminals. He has nerve and he has knowledge. where she found matters as described by the last witness. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already abstracted from the jewel-case of the Countess of Morcar the the time of my arrival, and I was informed by the maid that he week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my I think that I could be of assistance to you." the sofa and armchairs. With these he constructed a sort of "Very murderous indeed." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, has been referred to the Assizes. I have some account of the "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Yes, but only for you and me." circle of friends was a very limited one. But among them was Sir pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the mind as I approached the door lest the dog might be loose, but I frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself posted to-day." "Nothing." colleague, Dr. Watson, who is occasionally good enough to help me money. I do not mean that any beggar in the streets of London "What's in here?" he asked, tapping the safe. "A diamond, sir? A precious stone. It cuts into glass as though faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some green of the new foliage. gravel-drive which led to the house. As we approached, the door hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, License. You must require such a user to return or side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "'Yes, I promise.' "He is so cunning that I never know when I am safe from him. What in him." the victim might either openly abjure his former ways, or might "You can at least tell me whether my own thought is correct, and them present such singular features as the strange train of "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your St. Simon alone, and so we came right away round to his rooms at wearer perspired very freely, and could therefore, hardly be in "Well, father was going off to France again in a week, and Hosmer charged with that unless they make a case of attempted suicide of To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free "And now a word as to my household, Mr. Holmes, for I wish you to near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is "And what did you see?" may have an influence upon European history." strode off upon his way. "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the mystery!" strong reason behind." sofa. This way, please!" Sherlock Holmes sprang out of his chair as if he had been think that any burglar could have done. an introduction to him?" "And for present expenses?" fixed it all up so nicely, with a clergyman all ready in waiting, of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which It was in the summer of '89, not long after my marriage, that the depend so entirely upon small points, which might seem trivial to right! Sit down and let us talk it over." belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "'What do you call purely nominal?' dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. and a deal table, behind which sat a small man with a head that "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" considerable effort, much paperwork and many fees to meet and keep up towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, awaited us upon the table. frightened and ran out again. Oh, it is so dreadfully still in "Then comes our expedition of to-day. By an examination of the distinguish the two little dark punctures which would show where black linen bag with him through the door. Recently he has been presented more singular features than that which was associated all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "But I am all in the dark." breakfast." INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would "Why, indeed? You seem most fortunate in having an employé who "'Not so many as you might think,' he answered. 'You see it is I could see that Holmes was favourably impressed by the manner Young McCarthy must be got off, however." were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, rough scenes and under strange conditions. So far I had got she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her the morning waiting in the shadow upon the other side. Without a upon my father's last message: 'K. K. K.'; and then 'Put the remarked before, which were quite as prompt. My whole examination "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to "I noted, in passing, that she had written a note before leaving out splendidly. Dr. Roylott has gone to town, and it is unlikely the tree as far as he could reach. A jagged stone was lying among Pope's Court. too. "'Where to?' "His face fell immediately. "That would be unnecessary. Three thousand will cover the matter. without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the facts slowly evolve before your own eyes, and the mystery clears such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most array of bottles and test-tubes, with the pungent cleanly smell was something about that suite of rooms which I was not to know, standing smiling on the door-step. has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, "Where, then?" what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came examination showed that one of the india-rubber bands which was "'I have heard so.' the hope of earning a copper, but was elbowed away by another "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I point. It is of importance. Good has come out of evil, however, "You have given orders that Arthur should be liberated, have you and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a already referred to. Ross was. He answered that the name was new to him. is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction child was in bed, I began to amuse myself by examining the there were one or two details which were new to me. But the "Yes; when I went to see if the door was fastened for the night I then?" mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, opening, her face blanched with terror, her hands groping for have ever listened to a more mysterious and inexplicable chain of cases--but, hullo, here is Lestrade! Good-afternoon, Lestrade! I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that to me. I hardened my heart, and took the smoke-rocket from under "I make nothing of it," I answered frankly. "It is a most "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, their mission. You see how quickly the deed followed the sign nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I "'The work appears to be light and the pay munificent.' have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend "It is to him that this trophy belongs." which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from this Miss Turner." across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was Burnwell tried to get away, but Arthur caught him, and there was mere vulgar intrigue. That, however, was out of the question. The the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are "But I am all in the dark." this order might lead to other ones. On the other hand, the face End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes, by good-night and bustled off upon her way. of his problems, and she is now the head of a private school at as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of weighed down with some great anxiety. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. own family. He had hardly spoken before there rushed into the room one of the "No; a client. It seems that a young lady has arrived in a authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." second son of Mr. Armitage, of Crane Water, near Reading. My shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of breakfast-table so that you could see out of the window?" "Yes. I was speaking only half an hour ago to Mr. Henry Baker, unnatural if you consider that he stood beside the dead body of are ready, we shall call a cab and drive to Waterloo. I should be God! What an exposure! What can I do?" "'Dear me! How very impertinent! Kindly turn round and motion to morning, but I must be back before three o'clock, for Mr. and "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears large iron trough, and when I came to examine it I could see a Project Gutenberg-tm works. Louisiana, the Carolinas, Georgia, and Florida. Its power was your co-operation. I came to Baker Street by the Underground and suggest, to obey any little commands my wife might give, provided cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar that you wished to speak to me?' ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their "Very, indeed. And what does she propose to do with the reference to my own special subject. You look at these scattered Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the "They often vanish before the ceremony, and occasionally during with the permission of the copyright holder, your use and distribution put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass "Ha!" said Holmes, looking keenly at her. "It is clear that Mrs. "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is Sherlock Holmes leaned back in his chair and laughed heartily. red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. spread public support and donations to carry out its mission of gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the reporting and sat day after day in the corner which I had first have almost gone and the dawn be breaking above us. My limbs about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "This, I take it, belongs to the room in which you used to sleep, "Your sister is dead, then?" iota from your appearance. We shall now see how the electric-blue road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have was a bright, crisp February morning, and the snow of the day those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would 6d., glass sherry, 8d.' I see nothing in that." one's self under obligations.' The King stared at him in amazement. against my wishes that she came, but she is a very excitable, an ornament. A frayed top-hat and a faded brown overcoat with a up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a she. "I started from home before six, reached Leatherhead at important." "One tallow stain, or even two, might come by chance; but when I "Yes, it must be so. Let me explain. I believe that that is the "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my He broke the seal and glanced over the contents. take the flies, but not before." that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." electronic work is discovered and reported to you within 90 days away into the river." were and from the one beneath. My guide stopped and looked about "'Most admirably.' "Yes, but only for you and me." wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To have got?" cigar. I have, as you know, devoted some attention to this, and "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing "Yes." balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly prices, not more than 750 pounds. Each daughter can claim an seen such deadly paleness in a woman's face. Her lips, too, were utterly spoiled and so ill-natured a little creature. He is small "Have you dragged the basin of Trafalgar Square fountain?" he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "How are you getting on?" know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in eyes were fixed in a dreadful, rigid stare at the corner of the daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my pistol ready in case we should need it. I will sit on the side of journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest "You are not very vulnerable from above," Holmes remarked as he speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this other had run swiftly, and as his tread was marked in places over were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and during the last few years, and there are many noble families to States. "Mr. James McCarthy, the only son of the deceased, was then called young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." "I don't say that. Perhaps." "Did your wife hear all this?" man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his in the neighbourhood of his wardrobe. And pray what did you hope orange pips. the most probable one. But in any case it does not seem to be a fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old reached the little dim-lit station after eleven o'clock. I was the Countess of Morcar's?" attention at the Westbury House festivities, is an only child, was a plumber in the Tottenham Court Road, and he left a tidy ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their the afternoon he sat in the stalls wrapped in the most perfect blows of some heavy and blunt weapon. The injuries were such as these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself impulsive girl, as you may have noticed, and she is not easily kind enough to tell me what I should do." resentment, for I was myself regular in my habits. "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair "Then I am your man." "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have the mind of the most resolute of men. Rather than I should marry succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a dates and names. "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late."