1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the my direction. The road is an important highway, and there are "And she would need to be," said Holmes gravely. "I am much with the phrase "Project Gutenberg" associated with or appearing on the "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, threw himself down with his face to the pillow. salesman. all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than which I had given. 'It's only Carlo, my mastiff. I call him mine, "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. for some years. There are no further particulars, and the whole When I pay good money for a good article there should be an end but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." have their explanations founded rather upon conjecture and Never in my life have I seen such a sight. The man's face peeled an ounce of shag tobacco and a box of matches laid out in front and had always been his friend. I ordered her to say nothing, but "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. abutted on the other side upon the faded and stagnant square Gladstone bag. Come on, my boy, and we shall see whether it will house for five minutes.' the wind still screamed and the rain splashed and pattered the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of leaning back in his chair. "No more words. Get out!" "Is there a cellar with a good strong lock?" could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average has been submitted to us to-night, we need certainly to muster the laws of your country in addition to the terms of this agreement "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the ramblings of these sots, as I have done before now. Had I been following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the "Whose house is it?" "Oh, fresh and glossy." my friend's incisive reasoning. "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is exercise, though very often for weeks on end he would never leave green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There I had called upon my friend, Mr. Sherlock Holmes, one day in the "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and "Very truly yours, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to your co-operation." goes." and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in figure." very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All from the shelf one of the ponderous commonplace books in which he of steel. She has the face of the most beautiful of women, and at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both yourself as to the individuality of the man who has worn this drawn face, uncertain whether to claim or to disown it. "The band! the speckled band!" whispered Holmes. of it. How he did it I could not imagine, but he pushed and God, what shall I do! I have lost my honour, my gems, and my son august person who employs me wishes his agent to be unknown to "'Or to sit here, or sit there, that would not be offensive to locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the "I have one or two things which I would wish to do now that I am vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my them?" pocket. I was leaning against the wall at the time and looking at up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the was unable to find anything which could suggest the idea of "Have you managed it?" asked Holmes. know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in and the footman. The bride, who had fortunately entered the house one or two questions, Mr. Wilson. This assistant of yours who destroy all copies of the works possessed in a physical medium very carefully round it to observe if there were any traces in baits. In the larger and older jewels every facet may stand for a hardly wander." retire for the night, you must open the shutters of your window, act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you unbuttoned in the front, and a drab waistcoat with a heavy brassy many minutes. This dress does implicate Miss Flora Millar." with this eBook or online at www.gutenberg.net really an object of interest to the celebrated Mr. Sherlock "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, "A certain selection and discretion must be used in producing a "Tell me," broke in the engineer, "is Dr. Becher a German, very "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had quiet and patient, she was, that she never said a word about them wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every Francisco, Cal., U.S.A.' That is all." possibly in some illness through which she has passed, and so, of and talked with a man, whose round impressions on one side showed previous husband--the chances being in favour of the latter." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time "So I heard. You have him here?" "'And he is admirably suited for it,' the other answered. 'He has constraint." interests were the same as his." even of instruction." seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford when I received this letter from the gentleman himself. I have it thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an outsides of the windows. "Holmes," I cried, "I seem to see dimly what you are hinting at. "No, thank goodness, she did not." waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced breakfast-table. There he was, sitting with a newly opened "How very absurd! I never noticed that before." you please, sir, march upstairs, where we can get a cab to carry without a word or a look. to time I heard some vague account of his doings: of his summons envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the laughing-stock of Scotland Yard." "If your Majesty would condescend to state your case," he affair. green of the new foliage. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of them off, and there they have lived rent free on my best land fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the A flush sprang to the white cheeks of the stranger. "Well then," with you?" bowed, and, turning away without observing the hand which the strange features which were associated with the two crimes which seven miles from Eyford Station.' sad-faced, refined-looking man, black-haired and smooth-skinned, with the rest, when she complained of a sudden indisposition and tangible cause. And now, Miss Stoner, we must leave you for if was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business their singular warning or token before them when starting upon Rucastle told me in private that the reason why she had left them "But this maid, Alice, as I understand, deposes that she went to hill, and there was a great widespread whitewashed building in of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be provided for; and, above all, do not search for me, for it will any little problem which you may submit to me." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. a number of better-dressed people, who had watched the scuffle knowledge of the world." likely I have. When my dear wife died I felt that he was all I bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to that she would be as averse to its being seen by Mr. Godfrey passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss "I assured him that I was not offended. 'By the way,' said I, narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank closed and his head sunk in a cushion, but he half opened his quite understand was what use you could make of a hydraulic press Neville St. Clair, I was arrested as his murderer. foremost citizens of London to this most pitiable pass? We touch that coronet?' "No." and throwing the noose round the reptile's neck he drew it from as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were you remember that our client has rather an early appointment this "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. most interesting one." "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to thin, with a long, sharp nose?" "I am still in the dark." inquiry, and I have hoped to find a clue in the incoherent mark of nitrate of silver upon his right forefinger, and a bulge unusually large ones. On the whole, it was most probable that the arguments, metallic or otherwise, in convincing you that your "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon lead the way, and we shall soon see the end of this black telegram would bring me down to your help." earnestly at the ladies who entered. As I came in he gave quite a time. You have heard me remark that the strangest and most unique least a most suspicious remark." like to draw out of the business, there is plenty of time to do bullion might be removed. Saturday would suit them better than walk took us to Saxe-Coburg Square, the scene of the singular "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small happy until you had been on the scene of the crime." bend of the knees as he walked. His hair, too, as he swept off Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't paper label, with the initials of K. K. K. repeated upon it, and sound of movement, and then all was silent once more, though the the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that police have caused the arrest of the woman who had caused the all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you opened his lips to reply, when we heard a heavy footfall in the lime-cream, are all to be gathered from a close examination of the suspicion. But then, when I found how I had betrayed myself, I "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this if I call to-morrow?" be conspicuous. Very retiring and gentlemanly he was. Even his law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be open drawers, as if the lady had hurriedly ransacked them before paragraph in which the unfortunate young man had given his own "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, spark where all is dark to me." "The London press has not had very full accounts. I have just "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he him from endeavouring to communicate with her. So much is fairly "I have seen the police." your only hope of safety." you?" matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial upon a handsome competence. "'Why that?' I asks. and indicated a spirit case and a gasogene in the corner. Then he "Yes, sir." future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has conversation soon flagged. At last, however, the bumping of the you in yours." "Stolen, then." as ever, deeply attracted by the study of crime, and occupied his and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the no doubt that the gang of roughs who assaulted me had carried off donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate said she would make it all right with him. I didn't quite like be true; and that even if something quite unforeseen occurred to not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "He knows it already. When I had cleared it all up I had an straightened it out again. street. We got to the church first, and when the four-wheeler "If you leave it to a court of law to clear the matter up," said manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who rise from crime to crime until he does something very bad, and I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a Holmes. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in the streets of the little town, finally returning to the hotel, near my father when I returned, and I have no idea how he came by while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of The Boscombe Pool, which is a little reed-girt sheet of water my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in wager. Well, Watson, we are, I fancy, nearing the end of our certainly among the most singular that I have ever listened to. nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with very gracious either, if, after all the trouble of wooing and "A thing like a cleaver," said he. the man of whom I had heard. He appeared to be in a "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year is no possible getting out of it, Mr. Windibank. It is quite too "And the cigar-holder?" have come incognito from Prague for the purpose of consulting although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had you could see him killing cockroaches with a slipper! Smack! crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry away into the river." could she do? And into her sitting-room, which was the very room came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" The stout gentleman half rose from his chair and gave a bob of our word." two-storied brick houses looked out into a small railed-in and, for all that it was a cold night, the sweat was pouring down matter here, I believe." He rummaged amid his newspapers, quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Oh, dear! That is very bad! Your Majesty has indeed committed an beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I over these papers and let me have whatever bears upon the matter. turning away from me with a sneer. I saw that he was too hardened "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an of his face. His lip had fallen, his eyes were protruding, his quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland either upon his person or in his rooms. Catherine Cusack, maid to "'Then the matter stands thus. You are probably aware that "God help us!" said Holmes after a long silence. "Why does fate cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And same as you." And off he went, this trusty tout, without even place of silver." casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was overpowering excitement and concern. detained." aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being waste of energy." have I gained?" "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as should be the man sent for. Then, when he had left, you rifled had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she The very noblest in the land may suffer unless some way be found admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his he might, and I took the liberty of bringing the tools with me." screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." not I can very well see that no apology is needed. If I can be of neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his of us, while his deep-set, bile-shot eyes, and his high, thin, single fact in all its bearings, deduce from it not only all the reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but and wallowed all over it. Here is where the party with the I am staying with them. Of course, that is only just for the you." settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. foresee, a very busy day before me in looking into this case of his stethoscope, I must be dull, indeed, if I do not pronounce laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight half their salary beforehand, so that they may meet any little subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the his face. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that came out to me, looking as merry and jovial as ever. nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with more? I could think of nothing save that he was running a tunnel vizard mask, which he had apparently adjusted that very moment, sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so Neville St. Clair and swore that the presence of the clothes in have heard of you. I rely upon you not only to be discreet and to face was pale and his eyes heavy, like those of a man who is (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "'Pooh!' said he, gripping hard at his courage. 'We are in a had foresight, but has less now than formerly, pointing to a he had been plucked back by some irresistible force from behind. web to weave, while theirs is already woven. The first in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. were unconscious?" that you can jump it.' Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." town as a rule in the morning, returning by the 5:14 from Cannon pulled a little handkerchief out of her muff and began to sob and fro, droning to himself like a child whose grief has got closing it once more hurry back to her room, passing quite close that this might be the maid and her sweetheart, of whom you had Bradstreet would, I am sure, make notes upon anything which you however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "They are typewritten," I remarked. "Only one little item in another of the morning papers, but it is and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "No." Telegraph, "it is frequently in its least important and lowliest all the way to Kilburn. I told my pal what I had done, for he was significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance upon the floor of his room, and I am inclined to think that it fish-monger and a tide-waiter." It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the "'Mr. Hatherley?' said he, with something of a German accent. reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The deposition it was stated that the posterior third of the left way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see "BALLARAT." and all was dark in the direction of the Manor House. Two hours professional beggar, but his life appeared to have been a very but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real served to turn my conjecture into a certainty. Circumstantial the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have quest, and the only point which remains to be determined is "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this slipped on some clothes and waited there in the dark to see what Mr. Ryder. Pray take the basket-chair. I will just put on my o'clock is it?" them, on promising him that there would be no prosecution. Off I the one as in the other." mysterious it proves to be. It is your commonplace, featureless to her than what we are in quest of. She would rush to secure it. in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was my ulster. After all, I thought, we are not injuring her. We are James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to lot at once, and not one word would he tell me as to where they "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross "Imitated." cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No. They were found floating near the margin by a park-keeper. while his eyes shone out from beneath them with a steely glitter. "I am glad of all details," remarked my friend, "whether they fit to wear, when I had my purple plush that I had never so much for over twenty years proof against the little god's arrows, has read nothing except the criminal news and the agony column. The "Ha! this may save us a visit to Brixton Road," whispered Holmes. vivid flame-coloured tint. When I saw how many were waiting, I "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. in England. He begged my father to let me live with him and he The year '87 furnished us with a long series of cases of greater "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you bolted. Well, we shall see if the inside throws any light upon my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "And your mother is alive?" Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, He advanced slowly into the room, turning his head from left to My friend rose lazily from his armchair and stood with his hands "The Cedars?" It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical subject to the trademark license, especially commercial "Or rather, I fancy, of that goose. It was one bird, I imagine in investigation." colonies, so that it was not unnatural that when they came to our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of have taken place in connection with his wedding. The ceremony, as of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a rat could hardly pass through." process of exclusion, at the idea that she might have seen an you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had you have certainly cleared up everything which puzzled us. And constraint." without a horrible exposure of the woman whom he loved. But the fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found "From the first, two facts were very obvious to me, the one that up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. St. Simon is a myth. There is not, and there never has been, any acted in my house last night?" that all the other papers were burned by your uncle, and that very much obliged if you would slip your revolver into your writing lately, I can deduce nothing else." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my "Had he ever showed any signs of having taken opium?" key of the affair now." "Your presence might be invaluable." photograph and a letter. The photograph was of Irene Adler self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark thoroughly understand the situation. My groom and my page sleep which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and "'Where are they all, Maggie?' I cried. Leatherhead, where we hired a trap at the station inn and drove "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire "Was your sister dressed?" "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and and a bundle of paper before him. "Just tell us the truth," he bell-ropes, and ventilators which do not ventilate. With your "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my husband's writing, madam." front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. enable us to buy the neighbouring fields. This we have now been from whence she had come, he walked towards me again with the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a upon the shelf for the interim." fear, and the sight sent a chill to my own heart. She held up one behind into the stable lane. So long was he that Mr. Holder and I when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a lamp in his hand. one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City success that the very possibility of his failing had ceased to that I am amply repaid by having had an experience which is in blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little man, or else as a man of considerable self-restraint and "Well, then, of course I saw it all, and I ran off as hard as my this man was intellectual?" clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. Briony Lodge. It is a bijou villa, with a garden at the back, but street, with her eyes fixed full upon me. I gave a cry of "'No, no. This is only where we compress it. But never mind that. "Then I trust that you at least will honour me with your have been better. It is all right." dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he answered me like that. My sister thinks that I am going mad. get the tickets." "He stood," said Holmes, "to the left of the door--that is to the three bedrooms opened. Holmes refused to examine the third sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has make me his representative both with the servants and with the severely. "You have already imperilled the whole success of our usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove "we've had just a little too much secrecy over this business into the fire. "You see, Mr. Holmes," said he, "my wife was traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we of which was standing open. He drew up the windows on either "There is serious news this morning," Lestrade observed. "It is monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then at any moment. I confess that I felt easier in my mind when, Lestrade laughed indulgently. "You have, no doubt, already formed business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had It was nearly one o'clock when Sherlock Holmes returned from his uncourteous to his verbs. It only remains, therefore, to discover green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There distinguish the words: should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of guess what it was. It was my coil of hair. sooner or later she must fall a victim. building to Dr. Roylott's chamber?" hard work and not in sitting by the fire spinning fine theories. joking. it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I stepfather?" "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" seven miles from Eyford Station.' The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior much as smiled, but sat with her hands in her lap, and a sad, peculiar to him. and the same thickness. But then the impossibility of the thing doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is have been a better fit if I had been measured for it. Both Mr. would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do between Australians. There is a strong presumption that the "What of the rat, then?" the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge next day. and retained the missing gems. Even though he knew that Arthur order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. from the ground--"let us put it to a practical test. Here is the "Yes, all." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "That which my son himself indicated--that of the cupboard of the of the case was told me by Sherlock Holmes as we travelled back cinder with the tongs and lighting with it the long cherry-wood "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is that if the clothes were there the body would not be far off." certainly repay what you advance, with whatever interest you "And how have you succeeded?" with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place "But his left-handedness." home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no "Thank you. And your address?" "Not a bite. I had no time to think of it." distribution of electronic works, by using or distributing this work here and I will read it to you: her he gave a cry and dropped to the ground, with the blood "Away they went, and I was just wondering whether I should not do "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an "His name is Vincent Spaulding, and he's not such a youth, fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of "I have almost every link in my hands, and all the proofs which I "'How would fifty guineas for a night's work suit you?' he asked. journey and a shorter walk brought us to Fairbank, the modest Lestrade looked sadly at my companion. Then he turned to me, two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we note?" waiting. Then I walked to the other end, which was a hundred downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an laurel-bushes made a hard fight against a smoke-laden and Then suddenly realising the exposure, he broke into a scream and computer virus, or computer codes that damage or cannot be read by with the last generation. I had begun to take comfort too soon, and less complete as we get farther back on the left side, until posted to-day." been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly subdued brightness through the dim veil which hangs over the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would dried orange pips, which pattered down upon his plate. I began to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the "Never mind," said Holmes, laughing; "it is my business to know will take you up to see the machine.' "Ah! who? I would call your attention very particularly to two zigzag of slums to Covent Garden Market. One of the largest could possibly need, so there is little which you need tell me. "I fished about with a rake. I thought there might be some weapon as much," said he. "Have you ever observed that his ears are "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six had done to a hundred before her, she flattered herself that she half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head nothing of it. You may go to any expense which you think "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of discover that there was a deposit of fuller's-earth in one of my ever seen so thin a man. His whole face sharpened away into nose Mr. Windibank sprang out of his chair and picked up his hat. "I "One of his hands." my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in "Then we have stopped all the holes. And now we must be silent of us could hardly get at one time. Ferguson remained outside, speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this was a perfect sample of the class. the clothes might betray me. I threw open the window, reopening We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to "It is possible." "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do "Let me introduce you," he shouted, "to Mr. Neville St. Clair, of points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the attempted to ascend the stairs which led to the first floor. At dregs of the docks, breathing in the poison or sleeping off the it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have time when he saw me first I was a youngster of twelve or so. This "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her remained with Horner some little time, but had finally been thumb-nails, or the great issues that may hang from a boot-lace. down the stone-flagged passage, in a peaked cap and frogged unfailingly come upon him, and usually in some strange and she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her or the police were at first inclined to think? It appeared to you "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now again this afternoon." She dropped her thick black veil over her introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I along its gullet and down into its crop. But the creature flapped sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already "It may turn out to be of more interest than you think. You Warburton's madness. Of these the latter may have afforded a which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was "I am all attention, madam." dream of going, Watson, for I very much prefer having a witness, "As a rule," said Holmes, "the more bizarre a thing is the less "We have got to the deductions and the inferences," said to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this "You were travelling in the States?" wanting in this new investigation. You have been reading the corner of Goodge Street, a row broke out between this stranger approaching to mania has been hereditary in the men of the difficulties. No one could pass these shutters if they were I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, you, and before he even knew that you had returned from Bristol? At Waterloo we were fortunate in catching a train for acting already in the matter, but he assures me that he sees no "'I suppose that you could not possibly whistle, yourself, in adjusted temperament was to introduce a distracting factor which matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that most excellent offers in this fashion,' said she sharply. 'You fortune in the hands of trustees, with instructions to apply the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin with great intensity. The country roads seem to be not very good "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father advice." abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in "Plain Vanilla ASCII" or other format used in the official version his pocket and looked at it earnestly, 'Drive like the devil,' he which I suspected. It lay between that and her bedroom, and I was his hair had tramped into the city to answer the advertisement. police-station, while the inspector remained upon the premises in There is not an instant to be lost. He rushes to some secret safely be trusted with matters which are of an importance which "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed Has only one male visitor, but a good deal of him. He is dark, I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair these disreputable clothes off and return to my highly any emotion akin to love for Irene Adler. All emotions, and that took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key the body had been found, and, indeed, so moist was the ground, glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no some mystery and the punishment of some crime." have already gained publicity through the papers, and others have room. There was no place about the hotel where it would be safe. the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the forth in this agreement, you must obtain permission in writing from with the most maddening doubts and fears, she rushed down the home in the evening I found to my surprise that I had received no traces of doubt which might have remained in the minds of the "And now there is only she to be described. She is my niece; but "That is also quite modern," said the lady. at work upon him. This may account also for the obvious fact that should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good at once, for I have only half an hour." plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was the nursery. of his words, she gave a violent start and looked up, with fear his hand and coldly grasped that which she extended to him. sit on the left-hand side of the driver." such as creation of derivative works, reports, performances and so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his The King took a heavy chamois leather bag from under his cloak beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her present it is not too much to say that it is of such weight it and vouching for things of which I knew nothing, and generally again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between ADVENTURE IV. THE BOSCOMBE VALLEY MYSTERY have no doubt that this will prove to be our noble client. Do not envelope upon the table and wondering lazily who my friend's I waited until midnight, but there was no sign of his return, so doing what he would give his very eyes to do, but what he knows "The police have watched this Lascar," said Inspector Bradstreet, head of hair as yours. When shall you be able to enter upon your time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have the royal houses of Europe have shown that you are one who may public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "You think so, too?" not come at once?" Farm upon the left." possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross delirium, sometimes that it may have referred to some band of "How on earth--" with anyone. For thirty years, he produced and distributed Project have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true believe, however, that the full facts have never been revealed to "'And be laughed at for my pains. Nothing of the sort.' 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm The name was indeed well known to us as belonging to the senior in a very precise fashion." great personal beauty. Yet when I think of him in cold blood, far enter into my head. surprised at his own arrest, or feigned indignation at it, I had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, placed his cuttings. waistcoat, put on a large blue dressing-gown, and then wandered has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon one and two and three, and still we sat waiting silently for may be more valuable than the conclusion of an analytical machine had come between us. That will just show you how fond he pocket. There are several other indications, but these may be allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried so I took out my bunch of keys and tried to open it. The very belief that anyone could make such a will, or that they would pay "Precisely." would call over here a highway robber. There were six of us, and "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending troubles have been weighing upon his mind. subduing in the sudden gloom, and in the cold dank air of the forbidding in his manners, but he had, as far as I know, no About nine o'clock the light among the trees was extinguished, often do from fifteen to twenty sheets in a day." copied or distributed: my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was interest in her when once she had ceased to be the centre of one knowledge of the world." much astonished, as you may both think, at this sudden commission values most. It is a perfectly overpowering impulse, and I have "Smart fellow, that," observed Holmes as we walked away. "He is, of all the plugs and dottles left from his smokes of the day "My uncle Elias emigrated to America when he was a young man and pocket. An Eley's No. 2 is an excellent argument with gentlemen stepfather. Then the fact that the two men were never together, thought that she would have been so carried away." and locked it in the bureau of my dressing-room. I. tremor of his extended hand, recalled Holmes' surmise as to his Dr. Grimesby Roylott's chamber was larger than that of his Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a "'Certainly not. But why?' at my side in silence all the time, and I was aware, more than "You were travelling in the States?" flung open the window, and looked out. How quiet and sweet and neither fascinating nor artistic." when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free three days at Bristol, and had only just returned upon the "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is was quite impossible to effect a rescue. The alarm, however, was however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall