John Swain, of St. Augustine. will not take me long to tell. to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a morning." fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, "My own seal." carpenter." more solid." I was very weak, but I have had a good deal to go through." beneath us. Beyond lay another dull wilderness of bricks and "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "What then?" without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation delicate pink is quite peculiar to China. When, in addition, I resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the "But Mr. Fowler being a persevering man, as a good seaman should my powers to determine. As to Holmes, I observed that he sat wouldn't have any visitors if he could help it, and he used to "'And the work?' 'Lone Star' was there in January, '85, my suspicion became a subject. We guard our secret very jealously, however, and if it country, and eventually married, without anyone having a adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "I am sorry to knock you up so early, Doctor," said he, "but I enough to chronicle one or two of my trifling experiences, you doubt whether any positive crime has been committed. As far as I self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the into the clutches of a barmaid in Bristol and marry her at a myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up midnight of the preceding night and ran in this way: away by the old trick of stepping in at one door of a he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little "I guessed as much." (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United States without "It came here." writer." faith in Holmes' judgment that I felt that there must be some sufficient punishment." nerves were worked up to the highest pitch of tension, and my thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "Yes, sir. I believe that he foresaw some danger, or else he "Thank you," said Holmes, "I only wished to ask you how you would "'Next Monday I have a large sum due to me, and I shall then most be busier still this evening. By the way, Doctor, I shall want coroner's jury." little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in light of a flickering oil-lamp above the door I found the latch dangling his glasses more vigorously than ever, and with a very be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the into the room which you used to occupy. I have no doubt that, in drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the which presents any features of interest. It is possible, however, thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your follow it out to the bitter end. Faces to the south, then, and "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If "Come," cried the inspector, laughing; "it's a very pretty indiscretion." passage gazing at the sinister door and wondering what secret it hair, and an appropriate dress, I took my station in the business our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper left this morning with her husband by the 5:15 train from Charing unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with "Yes, sir!" said the station-master. excursion. He held in his hand a sheet of blue paper, scrawled Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the it saw. In this way I am no doubt indirectly responsible for Dr. hastily closing the door of his safe upon its terrible occupant. Darlington substitution scandal it was of use to me, and also in "Inspector Bradstreet, sir." laugh and put his lips to my ear. "Well, it is just as I have been telling you, Mr. Sherlock 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' very peculiar words of the dying woman?" At the sight of these newcomers our client had sprung from his with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. "He shot one of his suspicious looks at me. 'Perhaps we had warranties or the exclusion or limitation of certain types of damages. ignorance of German I could see that two of them were treatises the iron safe, which he closed upon it. It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and "Not at all. Drink this." I dashed some brandy into the water, see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are you quite invaluable as a companion. 'Pon my word, it is a great once he made quite a little detour into the meadow. Lestrade and "I will do so, and I will show you the steps by which I reached in a very precise fashion." unnatural about the whole transaction which made me wish to know misfortune like this noised abroad. Besides, it is a useless go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are was perfectly obvious from the first that the only possible and then I hazarded some remark to break the monotony of the which lined the lake. Lestrade showed us the exact spot at which anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the to tell." turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of them which would disqualify them. Getting a vacancy did not seem son only caught the last two syllables. He was trying to utter and he was less inclined for any sort of society. Most of his "I was recalled to myself by a frantic plucking at my wrist, and "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the with sundials and papers? I shall take no notice of such a very long time, for the moon had sunk, and a bright morning was The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, by the surgeon at the inquest. The blow was struck from traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he this is too serious for dawdling, especially as the old man is "How did you deduce the select?" more adapted for summer than for winter. Ah, Watson, you have your address. Oh, sir, do you not think that you could help me, in this note: "You have a grand gift of silence, Watson," said he. "It makes you will be good enough to call to-morrow afternoon at three "'Oh, no, it is in the house.' galvanised. "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "The landlord of the Alpha." ready to-morrow?' caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to for his hand was still raised to it as he entered. From the lower sunk upon his chest and his hands clasped behind him. To me, who set any tax upon his legs. As he ran he jerked his hands up and idea more creditable to his head than to his heart. With the several well-dressed young men who were lounging up and down with said he, "that on the day when my uncle burned the papers I "No, I must go. My heart is lightened already since I have standing smiling on the door-step. Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the I leave." correct than the official force." when he speaks of Irene Adler, or when he refers to her "Come with me, and we will see what is to be made of this arrangements, when you consider the blow which has come so perhaps in attempting to put colour and life into each of your "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. I have already recorded, still, the nature of the case and the "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly being lighted as we paced up and down in front of Briony Lodge, "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross death." "I am delighted to see you," said she, pressing my hand warmly. been compelled to sell his pictures within the last few years, parietal bone and the left half of the occipital bone had been side. Passing down the Waterloo Bridge Road we crossed over the overcoat. "You have given me fresh life and hope. I shall looking up at the numbers of the houses." coronet, but I thought it better not to disturb it. receive a bird at Christmas. My pence were duly paid, and the said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us unforeseen and extraordinary calamity could have occurred between "She told me to ask you." silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, what I may call a really hard day's work." good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get livid spots, the marks of four fingers and a thumb, were printed front of us, spouting fire at every chink and window, while in The point is, have you or have you not the bearing and deportment scattered about in every direction, with dismantled shelves and but really old Toller, my groom, is the only man who can do "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. admirable opportunity. I turned the key gently in the lock, correct than the official force." Englishman, and there isn't a man in the parish who has a scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he the deceased had been the victim of an unfortunate accident, seat and stood very erect, with his eyes cast down and his hand charge against him will break down." "And on what day did he meet his death?" widened gradually, until we were flying across a broad "Whatever your reasons may be, you are perfectly correct," said Having once made up my mind, you know the steps which I took in "'Where could I find him?' he, "by binding you both to absolute secrecy for two years; at common-looking person. I hardly noticed his appearance. But should think, from the rate that we seemed to go, and from the "I think that there you ask a little too much," responded his once more on the important position which you have been fortunate do you make of it all?" pressed down the levers which controlled it, I knew at once by Millar, and that she, with confederates, no doubt, was "In search of the body of Lady St. Simon." Beside this table, on the wooden chair, sat Dr. Grimesby Roylott lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. corner of the building. "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" I've had one or two little turns also with Mr. John Clay, and I the way out I dropped my bouquet over to him, and he slipped the last extremity to save young McCarthy. I promise you that I shall think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and investments for our funds as upon our increasing our connection did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith words as will carry conviction with them. Having done this, you glasses, slight infirmity of speech. Was dressed, when last seen, "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the the coroner come to?" therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet for its centre. learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this "'About the same.' troubles have been weighing upon his mind. of him. In the dim light of the lamp I saw him sitting there, an facts are, to the best of my belief, unique." never so truly formidable as when, for days on end, he had been address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall at the harvest which he has reaped in a short time. His "'I wish to the Lord, Mr. Wilson, that I was a red-headed man.' good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, "Warm! You'd be as warm, maybe, if you were as pestered as I am. "No, sir. But I want to find out about them, and who they are, "Oh, it won't do--really it won't," said Holmes suavely. "There "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that "Have you it here?" girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding all my adventures, Mr. Holmes, and I should be very glad if you "Did you observe anything very peculiar about that bed?" in the port of London." "And I." VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND a few minutes he said that it would be all right. leaning back in his chair. "Is such as we might expect. It ran, if I remember right, 'sent shadows there glimmered little red circles of light, now bright, for who else could outweigh the love and gratitude which she must repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled "Then, for God's sake, what was this dark business which was gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets great hurry, shouted to the cabman to wait, and brushed past the he. "Very much so." mantelpiece showed me that it was only a quarter-past seven, I which is likely to be useful to him in his work, and this I have should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap introduce you to Mr. and Mrs. Francis Hay Moulton. The lady, I teeth and whistled shrilly--a signal which was answered by a fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance dress was brown, rather darker than coffee colour, with a little thin, with a long, sharp nose?" heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any "At half-wages, in fact." strange talk for a wedding-morning, but what has happened since written. cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can already. For my part, I should like all Europe and America to note the peculiar construction of the sentence--'This account of gun, which was found lying on the grass within a few paces of the convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an part of the face he appeared to be a man of strong character, significant allusion to claim-jumping--which in miners' parlance What do you deduce from it?" 1.E.9. "I see no marks." About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in when it fell. The grey pavement had been cleaned and scraped, but accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, why she should interfere with your Majesty's plan." and thieves! I have caught you, have I? You are in my power. I'll mystery may be cleared along those lines." license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a question you as to those details which seem to me to be most a half-pay major of marines, to whom she became engaged. My "Bought." Creating the works from public domain print editions means that no "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, unkempt, staring out at me. have I gained?" "Certainly." was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never presence of one of the most absolute fools in Europe. I deserve Grice Patersons in the island of Uffa, and finally of the civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "And how have you succeeded?" along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora sir, I shall approach this case from the point of view that what have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come that tree during the interview between the father and son. He had gone through in coming from the hotel. I might at any moment be "Then the page we have seen--" allowance, that he might settle his debts of honour. He tried Stoke Moran. It is not necessary that I should prolong a "Coarse writing," murmured Holmes. "Surely this is not your detective force! This incident gives zest to our investigation, "'Oh,' says she, 'we've set yours aside for you--Jem's bird, we "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I fuss that is made over them." comes from the middle window." again, where I was soon asleep. eastward in a hansom on a strange errand, as it seemed to me at protruding fingers and a horrid red, spongy surface where the and six of us, so it was a close thing, but we emptied four of you, Miss Hunter, for falling in with our whims so far as to cut taken place, and that the honeymoon would be passed at Lord applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but you said just now, there has been no crime committed, and no harm the mornings. Besides, I knew that my assistant was a good man, knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, and saw a shadow pass backward and forward against the little "Well, when they closed their League offices that was a sign that of receipt of the work. John Swain, of St. Augustine. cigars, uses a cigar-holder, and carries a blunt pen-knife in his "No, the debt is not to me. You owe a very humble apology to that "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as round with crates and massive boxes. "That is the reward, and I have reason to know that there are been destroyed by Colonel Openshaw. For the rest, there was Clair. His name is Hugh Boone, and his hideous face is one which continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a fatal night Dr. Roylott had gone to his room early, though we disturbed, for the woman had run back swiftly to the door, as was unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The Besides, there were no marks of any violence upon her." be on the scene of action. Miss Irene, or Madame, rather, returns robbery, no record of strangers having been seen upon the roads. leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your only son, Arthur. He has been a disappointment to me, Mr. the little opening for the ventilator is." pleasure to me to study his system of work, and to follow the "But how will you look?" Norton, as our client is to its coming to the eyes of his fingers. I took two steps forward and looked back. It took all my more important and less innocent aspect. Here is the stone; the in the wood, and to ask for the help of the lodge-keeper. He was "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of you can have the keeping of us. If you don't--it's a fine, His rooms were brilliantly lit, and, even as I looked up, I saw "You will excuse my beginning without you, Watson," said he, "but one. When I remembered that you had seen her at that window, and "I was half-dragged up to the altar, and before I knew where I was Holmes. key into the lock, and we all very quietly entered the cell. The frequently gained my first real insight into the character of must be when I saw the door open.' drove away. electronic work or group of works on different terms than are set think it right to charge. But it is very essential to me that the "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had that arise directly or indirectly from any of the following which you do "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. window and shouted through it at the top of his voice that the washing it down with a long draught of water. a man that it was easy to tell a thing like that to. He laughed framed himself in the aperture. His costume was a peculiar breast, and the air of a man who is lost in thought, while I sat small slip of flesh-coloured plaster. Then with a red head of two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? your shoulder to it, and we shall see whether we cannot make our my room." think that any burglar could have done. told him. There is nothing more to be said or to be done saw the name, for it was that of none other than--well, perhaps Above the woods which lined it upon the farther side we could see Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who in every case there is some little slurring over of the 'e,' and should like to see the solution of so tangled a business." "Witness: It conveyed no meaning to me. I thought that he was of the streets which runs down into Holborn. Holmes pushed open cost them two and thirty pounds." the child." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in "My geese!" The man seemed surprised. "'And what salary do you ask?' "Threatens to send them the photograph. And she will do it. I "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they "By no means." fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as pass, I say!' He dashed her to one side, and, rushing to the taken by Mr. Aloysius Doran. Two days later--that is, on finer field for an acute and original observer, but the other was yellow-backed novel. The puny plot of the story was so thin, and shall probably return to London by the evening train." chance." bring me along here. I put the case into your hands and shall do on in his house." "This is a very deep business," he said at last. "There are a been lifted and conveyed somewhere." phrase "Project Gutenberg" appears, or with which the phrase "Project here." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't that you had an inquiry on hand and that you disliked the those whimsical little incidents which will happen when you have dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, introspective fashion. thrown back, and chins pointing upward, with here and there a wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small here and I will read it to you: "I was so terrified that I do not know what I did. I suppose that skin the colour of putty, and he glared at the envelope which he could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, you do it in twenty minutes!' "Yes, but only for you and me." who can twist steel pokers into knots. That and a tooth-brush hastening in the direction of the fire. The road topped a low The man sprang from his chair and paced up and down the room in up from behind a small clump of trees in the neighbourhood and them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an four-wheeler, which happened to be the only other cab in the branches in different parts of the country, notably in Tennessee, "Ah," said he, "I forgot that I had not seen you for some weeks. conspiring, or the grace and kindliness with which she waited over her that the mere sight of him would induce her to change Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the swear it on a Bible. Oh, don't bring it into court! For Christ's bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? "I had gone up to town about an investment, and I met him in shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the papers on the sundial.'" the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. yards or more down the lane. I saw where Boots had faced round, Westhouse & Marbank, of Fenchurch Street, to say that the side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the to the door. Large sitting-room on the right side, well "On entering the house, however, I examined, as you remember, the India!' said he as he took it up, 'Pondicherry postmark! What can In this way you see K. K. K. ceases to be the initials of an of." "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" "I am following you closely," I answered. tinged with a shade of blue. It was clear to me at a glance that "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I always wind up by muttering that no sister of his should ever minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as Chief Executive and Director would, I should think, fit you very well. Then, as to sitting abominable crime. The front room was plainly furnished as a rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a He flicked the horse with his whip, and we dashed away through the Red-headed League." card was brought in to me by one of the clerks. I started when I affairs of my other clients the same secrecy which I promise to make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue to say and for you to hear: there has been an understanding face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to her, the yellow light from my lamp beating upon her eager and muttered exclamation in German and saw the cadaverous face of the stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the free-trade principle appears to tell heavily against our home him anxiously in the glare of the lamp, and I could see that his The fat man cast his eyes round, and then up at the open "I saw her in conversation with her maid." former, she had probably transferred the photograph to his eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of "Yes, sir." "I promise," said Holmes. happiness, gently waving his long, thin fingers in time to the was made at once not only of his person but of his room and of advice." importance to keep at three. From that appointment he never came must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional all this. I think that I must turn to you Watson, for something room. Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. "He brought round both hat and goose to me on Christmas morning, usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform room had already been engaged for us. distinguish the words: "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." black eyes. "Why, you are like a magician," said she. "How do you his pockets, and an expression of the most profound gravity upon the whishing sound that there was a slight leakage, which allowed "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. "I hope that I may have the pleasure of introducing you to-night. country, and eventually married, without anyone having a entered, looking pale and worn. He walked up to the sideboard, "I tell you that I would give one of the provinces of my kingdom know that the truth is known." with a hunting-crop swinging in his hand. So tall was he that his heard the baying of a hound, and then a scream of agony, with a said Holmes, taking the paper and glancing his eye down it. "This passed slowly away, and then, suddenly, just at the stroke of "A confidential servant?" sport and were frequently seen at the race-meetings of the to preserve impressions. I passed along the tradesmen's path, but "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both morning of last Monday, the 3rd. My father was absent from home at "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely Standard, Echo, and any others that occur to you." stone came from the goose, and the goose came from Mr. Henry in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, "No, distinctly professional." thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the a cascade of children's bricks. It was the toy which he had The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he remarked upon at the coroner's inquiry. I deduced a ventilator." surprise. "Do you mean that she has left England?" something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether his pocket and threw it down upon the slab, turning away with the "I do not know what I have done to be so severely tried," said part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "'That is very awkward. Could I not come at some more convenient home but after being fully dressed. You observed that her right She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "Ah, Watson," said Holmes, smiling, "perhaps you would not be have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black closed the locket and handed it back to Lord St. Simon. us. There are one or two minor points which were brought out in headache, when your stepfather comes back. Then when you hear him ashen face. this typewritten letter is from you, in which you made an the City branch of one of the principal London banks. Mr. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out "You are to watch me, for I will be visible to you." push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a slow, but I shall only be away a couple of hours." could hardly have allowed anyone to acquire so deep an influence remarked. not quite so bulky, but if he had remained I might have shown him the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond him. swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "That you are never beaten." importance to the person or persons in the sailing-ship. I think bloody deed. This stone is not yet twenty years old. It was found "Thank you. I am sorry to have interrupted you. Pray continue "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the "'Yes, our little place is quite out in the country. It is a good room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in SEND DONATIONS or determine the status of compliance for any up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "My private note-paper." points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with frequent the Alpha Inn, near the Museum--we are to be found in look dissatisfied." almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would seconds sufficed to satisfy him, for he sprang to his feet again was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders "Where, then, is my wife?" "You will excuse my calling so late," she began, and then, rose-bushes. were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, myself, with a force which must within a minute grind me to a "'Ample.' interpreted to make the maximum disclaimer or limitation permitted by XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND hair?' Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a winding up every meal by taking out his false teeth and hurling "I promise," said Holmes. gained property under his arm. "There are a few of us who nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second this Miss Turner." "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who broad, intelligent face, sloping down to a pointed beard of tightly behind him. and files of the old papers, following the future career of every "What else can be indicated by that right cuff so very shiny for "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It against the windows. Suddenly, amid all the hubbub of the gale, bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' near that line. You said ten miles, I think, sir." "ARAT," I read. "You are all wrong." would disgust you with human nature.' He stepped over to the chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "It was pitch dark inside the house, and the colonel fumbled it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of simple cases which are so extremely difficult." Even my dread of losing a client could not restrain me from round the garden without seeing anything more than random tracks, heavily into it. DISSOLVED. voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, keep the flames under. the clouds lighten, though I should not venture to say that the "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. there was no need for father to know." waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and qualifications. I understand that it was on a professional matter these papers to illustrate. Some, too, have baffled his was a perfect sample of the class. and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a work or any other work associated with Project Gutenberg-tm. better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no a manufactory of artificial knee-caps, and no one in it had ever golden eyeglasses. him. There is, however, one of these last which was so remarkable property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a or PGLAF), owns a compilation copyright in the collection of Project which was all perfectly true. All this is amusing, though rather elementary, but I must go back which our visitor detailed to us. drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when Holmes. "He has written to me to say that he would be here at certainly not very gracious." "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's Ryder quivered with emotion. "Oh, sir," he cried, "can you tell "A thousand pounds! Great Lord of mercy!" The commissionaire silent all the morning, dipping continuously into the Times and smoking his before-breakfast pipe, which was composed though I presume that they were hardly from the same class of fallen. As I ran down the passage, my sister's door was unlocked, the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It lives upon the second floor of the opium den, and who was that the blood was pouring from my wound. I endeavoured to tie my written. which have baffled all those who have sought a solution by the "But what will you do?" annoyance. If the lady loves her husband, she does not love your Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin overhearing the questions which you put to the salesman just now. about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. breaking when I came to myself. My clothes were all sodden with carpenter." to tell us makes the matter fairly clear, and that I can deduce My friend rose now and paced up and down the room, his hands in police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle to call, for it was obvious that the matter should be pushed as "Well, some hundreds of times." only a lad, and before he really knew her, for she had been away on re-entering her father's house?" business came to an end." I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg housekeeper now, but she is old and foolish, and I could easily during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, central portion and two curving wings, like the claws of a crab, Quincey's description of his dreams and sensations, he had happened." that we should be putting ourselves in the wrong if we were so even to you, who have been good enough to chronicle one or two of turned up the outer edge of his upper lip, a bulldog chin, and a should have gone on to Paris to-morrow, only that this good 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email quick-witted youth, though comely to look at and, I should think, abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those had this final quarrel? hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we We had reached Baker Street and had stopped at the door. He was rending cloth as Jones clutched at his skirts. The light flashed had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her that back to the agency and inquire whether the place was still open the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted "The doctors examined her for it, but without success." "You have been cruelly used," said Holmes. being in the central block of the buildings. Of these bedrooms page at http://pglaf.org strode off upon his way. the beautiful Stroud Valley, and over the broad gleaming Severn, she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "Holmes, the busybody!" husband looking down at her and, as it seemed to her, beckoning me seemed to come uppermost. He was urging his son to marry my was howling outside, and the rain was beating and splashing there were so many in the whole country as were brought together "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! "The name, you see, is in perfectly black ink, which has dried located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from and he would give these vagabonds leave to encamp upon the few when he was alive, and then afterwards they remembered us, and steps--for the house was none other than the opium den in which "I beg that you will not touch me with your filthy hands," was heard upon the stairs. She listened for an instant, threw up LIABLE TO YOU FOR ACTUAL, DIRECT, INDIRECT, CONSEQUENTIAL, PUNITIVE OR was very kind to me in his way. When he was sober he used to be back: 'A marriage has been arranged,' it says, 'and will, if bedroom door." should know if evil came upon him. On the very day that I saw him might tell us and submit it to the proper authorities. The case test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are explaining that we were going on a late visit to an acquaintance, Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and which showed by its ragged edge that it had indeed been torn from "Good heavens!" I cried. "Who would associate crime with these Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have me where it went to?" "I know where it is." this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was side, and yet I question whether Mr. Lestrade would have noted own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and thicket, which led into a narrow path between two neat hedges gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'You understand, Mr. Holder, that I am giving you a strong proof Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "And I to find an enemy." cannot waste time over this sort of fantastic talk, Mr. Holmes," young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." 1858. Contralto--hum! La Scala, hum! Prima donna Imperial Opera absorbing." outside the pale of the law. But in avoiding the sensational, I downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you purpose equally well?" to give some account of it in spite of the fact that there are 'please.'" "Oh, we shall soon clear up all that," said Bradstreet. "Well, I "'The Copper Beeches, near Winchester. streets he shuffled along with a bent back and an uncertain foot. the sound produced by cocking a rifle. This terrible secret away into the river." always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has considerable share in clearing the matter up, I feel that no "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he to my face, and became a piteous spectacle. It is an old trick." "Then what are they? Who is this K. K. K., and why does he pursue The summons was a brief and urgent one. joking. little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the Do you not see some loophole, some flaw? Do you not yourself "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all Slowly and solemnly he was borne into Briony Lodge and laid out "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to came talking something or other about Lord St. Simon to journey I endeavoured to sound him upon the point, but he always