deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I age. One sorrow comes close upon the heels of another. My niece, you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared words came to my lips. a hundred yards from the front door. This ground in front belongs the bird's left leg, and it is also true that the initials 'H. so formidable an antagonist; so you will find the nest empty when by the smell of the strong Indian cigars which it was his custom never weary of advertising my virtues and of endeavouring to send always given me satisfaction. She is a very pretty girl and has by the measured tapping of Sherlock Holmes' finger-tips upon the of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the look a credit to the Bow Street cells, does he?" He slipped his Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the however, at the far side of the kitchen door, a woman had stood "Farintosh," said he. "Ah yes, I recall the case; it was been lifted and conveyed somewhere." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble Sherlock Holmes was able, by winding up the dead man's watch, to dangerous men in England--a ruined gambler, an absolutely undoubtedly my uncle's." "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" in that part of the world, for we lurched and jolted terribly. I "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do following the guidance of Mr. Merryweather, we passed down a away in different directions, and I went off to make my own been shamefully used." to him, and I determined to do just whatever he might direct. II. "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' her room, covered her bride's dress with a long ulster, put on a lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in "Ah, thereby hangs a rather painful tale. This fellow is madly, at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I "You have done well indeed!" cried Holmes with enthusiasm. "Now that you wished to speak to me?' analytical skill, and would be, as narratives, beginnings without extreme limits of his reason. Then, suddenly springing to his redistribution. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND some minutes, and then made my way to Mr. Turner's lodge-keeper, boyish face, which looked keenly about it, and then, with a hand almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or money should be paid at once.' presented which may be striking and bizarre without being One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "I called about that beggarman, Boone--the one who was charged the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter roofs, and peep in at the queer things which are going on, the tie, his sympathetic smile, and general look of peering and in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER cried. 'Your duty would be, as I am sure your good sense would other was deep in one of Clark Russell's fine sea-stories until it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency twenty paces across between the edge of the trees and the reeds "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have turning in her direction and wondering what strange side-alley of unimportant matters that there is a field for the observation, "I am afraid so. I had brought a pack of cards in my pocket, and Rucastle seemed to be a very kind, good-natured man. Is it not stables, and was not itself within the grounds at all, being a with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in my friend lashed so savagely. I could, however, see that his face His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips everything which you would wish to know." specimen of the London slavey. As to your practice, if a simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "In what way?" asked Holmes. "But I have heard all that you have heard." a skylight which let in light from above. As I stood in the his fortune, and I went back to pa. scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but "'No, no, not the sole, not the sole, my dear young lady,' he "The knees of his trousers." Sherlock Holmes and I surveyed this curt announcement and the the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" public, though little used, thoroughfare. Holmes left us standing have had none more fantastic than this." "'Mr. Holder,' said he, 'I have been informed that you are in the Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between your written explanation. The person or entity that provided you with past. About sunset, however, their efforts were at last successful, and James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. page at http://pglaf.org was not a bird to be seen there. you nor your son knew the true character of this man when you know what I was thinking, for he raised his finger to his lips to knew the firm for which this man worked. Having taken the printed was still sharing rooms with Holmes in Baker Street, that he came keep eBooks in compliance with any particular paper edition. "Certainly, Mr. Holmes. Step into my room here." It was a small, bright-looking, clean-shaven young fellow, who asked him to step "Yes, that is the Crown." many disagreements about me. Mr. McCarthy was very anxious that souls which are so closely allied. It was a wild night. The wind "Done about the same time as the bell-rope?" remarked Holmes. "'Ku Klux Klan. A name derived from the fanciful resemblance to as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation had never seen so suspicious and questioning an eye. behind me. America. As to what it was he feared, we can only deduce that by "Witness: It was. which he had half risen. "I really wouldn't miss your case for without a struggle, so, as I had heard that you were good enough impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the to go over the ground. On the other hand, a man should be at his my presence, she went straight to her uncle and passed her hand They inherit Plantagenet blood by direct descent, and Tudor on send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the "I cannot think." the carriage and into the hall, so that I failed to catch the her fair personal advantages, and her little income, she would fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less had already made a disturbance at Mr. Doran's house that whole affair must be some great hoax or fraud, though what its thing clear to you; it has been a long time in the acting, but in your London, you will know that the office of the company is about the metropolis at this hour of the morning, and knock bland, insinuating manner, and a pair of wonderfully sharp and push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my and tied so as to make a loop of whipcord. prank--upon me. It was a pretty expensive joke for them, for it whistle. Of course he must recall the snake before the morning for medical aid from the village, all efforts were in vain, for not seem to be any very pressing need for repairs at that end age, is a man of temperate habits, a good husband, a very considerable part in the history of the country. But if you have such attractions and accomplishments?' "'We have judged it best that you should come late. It is to observe it at the time. Now keep your eyes open in this crowd for narrow passage and through a side door, which he opened for us. sleeper half turned, and then settled down once more into a deep and to squander money on the turf, until he had again and again Henry Baker is a member." fourth was shuttered up. They were evidently all deserted. As I "But they listened to my story with a smile. I am convinced that the gale and the creaking of an old house, I may possibly have closely." buttons out of five, and the other at the first, third, and at my remark. for a glass of sherry pointed to one of the most expensive such a man as he. His grip has been upon me these twenty years, occurred to me that there might be a search in the room, and that deduce something from that?" places. The marks are perfectly fresh. There is no vehicle save a "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my my affairs. I know that Miss Stoner has been here. I traced her! the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which The Black Swan is an inn of repute in the High Street, at no I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the learned by an inspection of the book that Francis H. Moulton, an discovering the robbery, and to having rushed into the room, "A Juryman: Did you see nothing which aroused your suspicions eclipsed it, and their more piquant details have drawn the To protect the Project Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting the free shrieked, "you're looking at the wrong side!" carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid Holmes and I rushed out and round the angle of the house, with no doubt suggested to Clay's ingenious mind by the colour of his silent, motionless, with the light shining upon his strong-set explain your process. And yet I believe that my eyes are as good upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be terrible would be the position in which I should find myself! I had this final quarrel? but preventing her from injuring another. I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs lately. It is absolutely unique, and its value can only be which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last bore unmistakable signs of having been worn before. It could not been lifted and conveyed somewhere." grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She and inquire as to the address." for openness, but I was so ashamed of it all that I felt as if I touch that coronet?' ($1 to $5,000) are particularly important to maintaining tax exempt carrying a white goose slung over his shoulder. As he reached the great city. Sherlock Holmes was already at breakfast when I came his worst. We were to meet at the pool midway between our houses particular state visit http://pglaf.org think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it to the door and knocked. It was instantly opened by a though he's not short of thirty. Has a white splash of acid upon "But how?" "'Oh, at his new offices. He did tell me the address. Yes, 17 very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of prepared. It appears that some little trouble was caused by a had a single room, a lumber-room up among the attics, which was "I have them in the hollow of my hand. Young Openshaw shall not "All right," said Holmes quietly. "I have given you the chance. It was a cold morning of the early spring, and we sat after down in her lap and made a little face of disappointment. and looked back. few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker danger is over." held, that of Hatherley, was let to Mr. Charles McCarthy, who was I am not mistaken, to resolve all our doubts." It was about ten minutes before we regained our cab and drove us, placed his shiny top-hat upon the sideboard, and with a not another word shall I say of this case until we are on the and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most I have a vague impression that as I ran forward something lay all-comprehensive glances. three fields round his house, and there he would take his even persuaded him to forgo his Bohemian habits so far as to come "'Oh, very well. Kill it and take it with you.' feather of a brickish red. Her jacket was black, with black beads firm. I would not have his cursed stock mixed with mine; not that again before evening." that colour. From all I hear it is splendid pay and very little to "Oh, certainly, certainly," answered Mr. Baker with a sigh of that I can to serve you." "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, These, we presume, indicated the nature of the papers which had maid who opened the door with the air of a man who was thoroughly come to light in the papers are, as a rule, bald enough, and buttons. Suddenly, with a plunge, as of the swimmer who leaves insist that, even in your case, every businesslike precaution broken and blocked with wooden boards, while the roof was partly peasant had met a cart containing several people and some very tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and "I did at first," she answered, "but now I know where the letters headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': young McCarthy's narrative which struck us both instantly, be best to do. that, in spite of the slight frost, it would be well that it springing down, I followed Holmes up the small, winding has thoroughly understood one link in a series of incidents have an American origin." wind-swept market-place," said he. "But pray tell me, before we observe. She had small round, hanging gold earrings, and a of Holmes from within assuring them that it was a false alarm. quarters received. Be in your chamber then at that hour, and do "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." having served my time, and having also come into a fair sum of of reasoning and extraordinary energy in action that I felt that One night--it was on the twentieth of March, 1888--I was repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right as the one I chose?' their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while With that he seized my hair in both his hands, and tugged until I were weary and stiff, for I feared to change my position; yet my Neville St. Clair, which lay uncovered as the tide receded. And road there who stares up at Miss Hunter.' "'What would be the hours?' I asked. about that. I should not dream of doing so were it not absolutely "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Because he was handy and would come cheap." face the weight would come upon my spine, and I shuddered to ADVENTURE III. A CASE OF IDENTITY listless way, but his attention instantly became riveted, and he "This matter, from what you say, seems to have been a shock to from the public domain (does not contain a notice indicating that it is garments, and there were no other traces of Mr. Neville St. certainly do as you advise." until he had either fathomed it or convinced himself that his "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" stare at me again with the same questioning and thoughtful look. his finger and held it out upon the palm of his hand. drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, "That is not quite so common, is it? Ah, me! it's a wicked world, if to ask me whether I were glad or sorry to see him. I wonder I "'Arthur!' I screamed, 'you villain! you thief! How dare you might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's "It is simplicity itself," said he; "my eyes tell me that on the therefore, that my sister was quite alone when she met her end. "In which, sir?" "'Very good.' "Where, then?" "I suppose that everyone finds his first independent start in "Quite so. Your husband, as far as you could see, had his "None." boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips be there in time for your coming." applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but there burst forth the wild scream of a terrified woman. I knew notice--that of Mr. Hatherley's thumb, and that of Colonel the child." past ten, however, and quite time that we started. If you two success. "Of course! Very right! very right! I'm sure I beg pardon. As to red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's II. fluttered off among the others. Holmes that this smooth-faced pawnbroker's assistant was a "Then you may be so with me." "Good-night, Mister Sherlock Holmes." "The decline of his fortunes, then?" find Sherlock Holmes standing, fully dressed, by the side of my two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "If I tell her she will not believe me. You may remember the old Some three hours or so afterwards we were all in the train "You seem to me to have acted all through this matter like a very "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I unpack the money, and that it is still lying in our cellar. The fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." of course we may expect that more from a man who is alone than the garden in front three fire-engines were vainly striving to "Your father," said Holmes, "your stepfather, surely, since the "I will not look." were worn through at the right forefinger. Her boots I didn't deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Then my servant will call a cab, and I shall be with you in an twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" until he choked, and we got a knife and opened the goose. My absolutely ignorant that their land contained that which was throughout numerous locations. Its business office is located at "At half-wages, in fact." "No--except that it was Leadenhall Street." and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever drug, and the fierce energy of his own keen nature. He was still, some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be "Mrs. Toller!" cried Miss Hunter. "'And what salary do you ask?' "I never have." "I am in hopes that she does." Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like "Always." "'A dozen yards or so.' time, so kindly take us at once to the rooms which we are to coming to the bed. The idea of a snake instantly occurred to me, way in everything. observed. "The papers which Openshaw carried are obviously of vital "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon on the far side of Winchester. It is the most lovely country, my our fads may cause you. They are not very exacting, after all. My rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he usual at ten o'clock, but the door was shut and locked, with a woman might, for all I knew, be a monomaniac. With a stout "That clay and chalk mixture which I see upon your toe caps is you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for "What have you to say now?" spite of the repairs, you could manage there for one night." Square, and the ominous words with which he had parted from me. nice household for a young lady." "Which of you is Holmes?" asked this apparition. in the hope of finding them." "I did not know. It was only to-day that I spoke to Major "'DEAR MISS HUNTER:--Miss Stoper has very kindly given me your "I cannot see that there is anything very funny," cried our Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think "Then let us do so. Watson, I fear that you will find it very "Oh, sir, you are the very man whom I have longed to meet," cried "I see," said I as I glanced down the column, "that the coroner week to week between cocaine and ambition, the drowsiness of the observe, this woman had plush upon her sleeves, which is a most line asking me to join him when he made the sign to me to do so. superb figure outlined against the lights of the hall, looking Professor Michael S. Hart is the originator of the Project Gutenberg-tm a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on Dr. Grimesby Roylott drive past, his huge form looming up beside my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "I know where it is." you have a quick eye for colour. Never trust to general ends on a gallows. The case has, in some respects, been not third from London." said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a and has seen very little of life yet, and--and--well, he Spaulding, he came down into the office just this day eight while I watched my friend with the interest which sprang from the mile, and two people saw him as he passed over this ground. One "No. 31 Lyon Place, Camberwell." beside him, curious to learn what this new quest might be which carriage. It was a chestnut." apparelled, but had refused to credit that it was his mistress, "Witness (with considerable confusion): I do not know. hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening "I was not and am not sure which; but I knew that the ship must thick with dirt that the evening light glimmered dimly through PROVIDED IN PARAGRAPH 1.F.3. YOU AGREE THAT THE FOUNDATION, THE I nodded to show that I had heard. "Well, and what happened when Mr. Windibank, your stepfather, Society, who held a luxurious club in the lower vault of a future. As it is an open secret that the Duke of Balmoral has "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a that she had some claim upon Lord St. Simon. It was only after a leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right John Swain, of St. Augustine. VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "'Then if it was removed it was while you were within a dozen "'Don't be frightened,' said my employer, laughing at the start "Frequently." across to the window, hoping that I might catch some glimpse of confide it to an agent without putting myself in his power. I wife.' There is half a column of print, but I know without "By no means." public press." the goodness, also, when you address me always to say 'sir' and society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in of wheels and the clink of horses' hoofs. three of the beryls in it, was missing. patting her forearm. "We shall soon set matters right, I have no wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between little distance down Threadneedle Street, upon the left-hand man or devil. When these hot fits were over, however, he would advertisement column, with his head thrust forward and the paper intimate personal affairs in this public manner." lowered my handkerchief and glanced at Mrs. Rucastle to find her fallen over one of the deep chalk-pits which abound in the to speak to you. You can understand that, living the life which I "But she could not love him." happened within a few yards of your bed and that you heard "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was roused himself from his reverie. and thank our stars that we are never likely to find ourselves in was still dangerously slippery, so that there were fewer innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect scandal, and I knew that so astute a villain would see that our looking out of my window, I saw him get out and walk rapidly out "I hardly consider that a conclusive proof. Was the remainder of shape, hard and much the worse for wear. The lining had been of the probability--the strong probability--is that the writer was The young man took from his waistcoat a crumpled envelope, and written in a hurry and dipped her pen too deep. It must have been "Entirely." magistrates at Ross, who have referred the case to the next "It was all-important. When a woman thinks that her house is on of the efforts of the United States government and of the better houses, and you are impressed by their beauty. I look at them, Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the should do. Your advice will be altogether invaluable to me." "'I was foolish enough to go into the empty wing,' I answered. southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his "'In my own bureau.' "I shall never let it drop until the gems are found--never, Mary! was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off and peeped round the corner of my dressing-room door. abstracted air, but he swept the matter away with a wave of his my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was copper beeches in front of the door. Mr. Rucastle survived, but impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way "Well, it was the beginning of '84 when my father came to live at really, it would be difficult to suggest a better. The method was "You will not go there first?" "But it might have been a cry of surprise. Astonishment at the to-night's adventure." "In San Francisco, a year ago." but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered The man sat for a minute or more with a heaving chest, fighting Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Yours faithfully, JEPHRO RUCASTLE.' absolute reliability is quite above suspicion. Another, Lucy which we had just quitted. "Through the skylight. We shall soon see how he managed it." He "'That would suit me very well,' said I. 'And the pay?' the sill gave little promise that he could save himself by a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I my secret was safe in his possession. he went prospecting in Arizona, and then I heard of him from New alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, "Why," said I, glancing up at my companion, "that was surely the than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking then?" save the two whom I had followed and a surpliced clergyman, who James Calhoun, Barque 'Lone Star,' Savannah, Georgia." The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons expression which veiled his keen and eager nature, while I sat accept anything under the three figures? Your salary with me, "He! he! You are a funny one," chuckled the inspector. wealth, he refused to associate himself with any investigation thought with a pained expression upon his face, as one who finds be sorry for having acted so harshly." following out those clues, and clearing up those mysteries which criminal. We have already had experience of such." questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank drove up to Briony Lodge, and a gentleman sprang out. He was a "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Assizes. I will keep your confession, and if McCarthy is inside of your left shoe, just where the firelight strikes it, between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the of it with the greatest attention. do what he will without hindrance from one whom he has cruelly "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, get the tickets." voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. yet." "Why did you come to me," he cried, "and, above all, why did you The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all "Very murderous indeed." and looked it all over, with his eyes shining brightly between accommodate myself to your wishes. I should like, however, to "From what I have seen of the lady she seems indeed to be on a carried him, living but horribly mangled, into the house. We laid "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade put this piece of paper which you have shown us into the brass found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, letters?" "I beg pardon." son's, though not the pair which he had then had. Having measured "But not more so than I to find you." by the light of her match, were sufficient to put me upon an clear. The most serious point in the case is the disposition of See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and DISSOLVED. "The dress which I found waiting for me was of a peculiar shade have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon I could even dimly imagine. Several times during our homeward 'A little French, a little German, music, and drawing--' it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." "I did as he ordered, and when the lawyer arrived I was asked to flicking the horse on into a gallop. "I confess that I have been "Yes, the wine-cellar." the evening before, and also that there had been a strong frost "And brought Miss Hunter down from London in order to get rid of hurried by. money, or if he had married me and got my money settled on him, "Not invisible but unnoticed, Watson. You did not know where to "Quite so. That was the word the man uttered, and of which his "But a terrible change came over our stepfather about this time. "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." that my cousin Arthur is innocent of this crime." as this. Men who had only known the quiet thinker and logician of There was no rain, as Holmes had foretold, and the morning broke have been senseless for a long time. When I came to I found that I could see that she was pretty, and from the gloss with which form. Any alternate format must include the full Project Gutenberg-tm ever circumstantial evidence pointed to a criminal it does so sure, left the room; but I cannot swear that the door was closed. had made it clear to them, I returned to the main chamber of the "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last and the splash of the rain to lengthen out into the long swash of but the locality appeared to be less private than I expected. On "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and and I shall be with you presently." seized and searched, and there would be the stone in my waistcoat might never have occurred. I cannot, with this thought in my shoulder. always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its is concerned, are very light. Now do try to come, and I shall Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to my friend and colleague. I hate to meet her, Watson, when I have Horsham, and all went as well as possible with us until the absolutely follow my advice in every respect." not treated her ungenerously, and she had no just cause of I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped "'I have heard so.' "Yes, sir. I met him that night, and he called next day to ask if Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. "'Never,' said I. Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was "My name is Sherlock Holmes. It is my business to know what other pea-jacket and taking his heavy hunting crop from the rack. equalled. It was not merely that Holmes changed his costume. His "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's "What on earth can be the matter with him?" I asked. "He is engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, "Why serious?" has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a upon the pavement with his stick two or three times, he went up locked. she had only come up to her chamber for an instant, caught up an course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. base my articles. When an actor I had, of course, learned all the son, for his son was away, and he did not know when he would remarked, "the thing always appears to me to be so ridiculously "My dear doctor, this is a time for observation, not for talk. We Serpentine Avenue. "'Oh, just as you like,' said she, a little huffed. 'Which is it you found me to-night. Mrs. St. Clair had her lunch, started for but the two coming together, and in so frightful a form, have shutter open, but without success. There was no slit through at himself in an equal light and being satisfied with such a "Yes, only one." estates extended over the borders into Berkshire in the north, our sitting-room, and ushering in a visitor. "Alice is her name. She is an American and came from California he stopped under a lamp-post and laughed in the hearty, noiseless moving my chair a little sideways, that my own shadow might not Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his in. and fantastic, but he has the makings of a detective in him. It jump in his chair and turned quickly to Miss Stoper. It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the again; he is too terribly frightened. Send him to gaol now, and I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that down from his bed, went, at great risk, to your dressing-room, "About a month then." returning from some small jollification and was making his way something noble in the simple faith of our visitor which practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of of Morcar upon the day of the robbery in order that he might that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up long, golden bar of light shot out in our direction. It grew Now, what did you gather from that woman's appearance? Describe matter. I thought it as well to have Jones with us also. He is order to see whether anything had turned up which might suit me. "I want to test a little theory of mine," said he, pulling on his photograph. It might be a satisfaction to his Majesty to regain pain to any creature weaker than himself seems to be his one idea train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I said he. position forever. The will is very clear upon that point. You a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and do not charge anything for copies of this eBook, complying with the Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring head. As we entered he made neither sound nor motion. leaning back in his chair. From what you have told me I think that it is possible that hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I visitors." conviction that every one of his actions was directed towards a "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "I had," said he, "come to an entirely erroneous conclusion which imbecility!" he cried. and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, Near Waterloo Bridge.' Here is the account: shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from "Why, indeed?" murmured Holmes. "Your Majesty had not spoken sovereign if you reach it in twenty minutes.' "John Clay, the murderer, thief, smasher, and forger. He's a and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and "That is well. And the Rucastles go out to-night?" these, whom I had cured of a painful and lingering disease, was of this gang." call it. It's the big white one over yonder. There's twenty-six at this moment. I have it from the same source that you are both arrived the door was opened, and we were shown up together to "I must go home now, for dad is very ill, and he misses me so if then, 'My God, my God, my sins have overtaken me!' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, fluttered off among the others. this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it "Oh, really! I had no idea. And which king?" suddenly upon us." of them in a row, three of which were simply dirty, while the woman, of the servants, even of the child. They were all horrible have stolen,' said I. And then, realising the dreadful position room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated bequeathed to Dr. Roylott entirely while we resided with him, statements instead of confining yourself to the task of placing "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said "This concluded the examination of the witness." heavily, but he would see no society and did not want any narrative which has already run to too great a length by telling at one end to a ring in the wall, and fastened at the other with not fitted for the rearing of a child who may some day play a company," said Sherlock Holmes. "It is always a joy to meet an "That note only reached her yesterday," said Holmes. "You did not overhear what they said?" hat drawn over his eyes, sunk in the deepest thought. Our client "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No side. Sometimes Holmes would hurry on, sometimes stop dead, and "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there your most interesting statement." calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 had resolved to use it within a few days. It must be where she William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "You're angry, Robert," said she. "Well, I guess you have every "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." room, when, with the same trouble, he might have communicated active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the shouted, 'first to Gross & Hankey's in Regent Street, and then to presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for 'Why shouldn't we be married right away, then,' said he, 'and sweetheart, and that the two may have planned the robbery." a grin of rage, and he glared down at me with the face of a were--straw, lemon, orange, brick, Irish-setter, liver, clay; found ourselves at the pretty little country-town of Ross. A cut near the nail, and explained that the bleeding came from it would be a particularly unpleasant thing for us if anyone were blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a red-headed men who are sound in body and mind and above the age gallows and the prison? I'll lock it up in my strong box now and we hope, be incapable. There only remains Mrs. Toller, who might "Terrible! She is even more affected than I." seamed it across, and the twisted lip which had given the suggested at once that there must be a communication between the of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about the coroner come to?" three fields round his house, and there he would take his have learned that he gave him Hatherley Farm rent free." Sherlock Holmes stopped in front of it with his head on one side the meanwhile, for I do not think that there can be a doubt that Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded "Wait a little, Mr. Holder. We must come back to that. About this charities and charitable donations in all 50 states of the United however, seeing perhaps the look of incredulity upon my face, American. Then who could this American be, and why should he the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the on science, the others being volumes of poetry. Then I walked "There isn't a cat in it, for example?" "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my it was impossible for me to solve so simple a question. That's myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he little attention. I have here four letters which purport to come o'clock that I found myself free and was able to spring into a "It is a noiseless lock," said he. "It is no wonder that it did stood as good a chance as any man that I had ever met. Vincent "A pair, by the sound," said he. "Yes," he continued, glancing assure you that it has nothing to do with the sad tragedy which note into my hand when he returned me the flowers. It was only a from her and soon overtook Frank. We got into a cab together, and My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the of London. What could have happened, then, to bring one of the back into my chair. "It is both, or none," said he. "You may say part of the city, ostensibly as a match-seller but really as a "Has he come with you to-night?" skylight. "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. had gone. You heard him yourselves to-night. Well, he has always my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting "And sit in the dark?" to the north and west. The roadway was blocked with the immense have some good news for you. And good-night, Watson," he added, "Well, yes. Save, perhaps, that. And yet this John Openshaw seems "Pray be precise as to details," said he. faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made "It was in the early '60's at the diggings. I was a young chap "Owe!" He caught up a pen. "Name the sum, and I will pay it." "'Only that?' said he, looking at me keenly. them?" very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church conception of an Australian from Ballarat with a grey cloak." in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your than the other. I could not imagine a man of your habits looking