headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': woman who has had her own way to make in the world. though I have my share of that. It was more a feeling of duty--a I've been on his track for years and have never set eyes on him convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "And it is--" seemed to tax his powers so sorely, and yet afraid to break in "Nothing, until my uncle here began to speak loudly. I heard to you." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "'Most admirably.' on in his house." the country-side, but an oak shutter, heavily barred, was folded in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only "Well, we will take it as a working hypothesis for want of a take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. "But, surely, it was obvious. I was then much surprised and "I am immensely indebted to you. Pray tell me in what way I can "Very truly yours, is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, opinion on a matter of fowls, and I have a fiver on it that the but a step between the crime and the dock. But look at these would be no chance of a train back. I should be compelled to stop "There was nothing in the office but a couple of wooden chairs inflamed face and disreputable clothes, walked into the room. I held the little printed slip to the light. weighed down with some great anxiety. Arthur Conan Doyle "Well, have you solved it?" I asked as I entered. cheerless, with two windows in the one and one in the other, so which he had named. 'There are thirty-nine enormous beryls,' said have any bearing upon the case, but I beg that you will question "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. Boscombe Pool, which is a small lake formed by the spreading out was averse to the idea. The daughter told us as much. Do you not "'Come! come!' she cried breathlessly. 'They will be here in a "It was from the reigning family of Holland, though the matter in is not too much to say that once or twice, as in that business of the League, and the copying of the 'Encyclopaedia,' must be to get which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "But you can know nothing of this?" waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced mind about father, but just to tell him afterwards, and mother you'll be into the fire! Give him an arm back into his chair, defect in this electronic work within 90 days of receiving it, you can manners, he was soon the intimate of a number of men with long stalls bore the name of Breckinridge upon it, and the proprietor open." red hair, and there, sitting up in his bed, was a pale, *** START: FULL LICENSE *** in this way: the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." which we had just quitted. almost as strong as my fears. My mind was soon made up. I would and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my "'No,' said I, considerably astonished at his words. recall any case within my experience which looked at the first husband was a teetotaler, there was no other woman, and the as blind as a mole, but it is better to learn wisdom late than who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." "That is the letter which I have just received, Mr. Holmes, and fuller's-earth is a valuable product, and that it is only found should like to vanish away and never see any of them again--just have not much in the way of proof with which to back it up; and, did not wonder at Lestrade's opinion, and yet I had so much faith "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall to one of those all-night chemical researches which he frequently 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived about the room collecting pillows from his bed and cushions from Gutenberg-tm electronic works if you follow the terms of this agreement "Yes. I heard his wife tell Mrs. Rucastle that she could do "You have neither of you any doubt as to your son's guilt?" of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and is!" He quietly shot back a panel in the upper part of the door "My eye caught the name of Openshaw, and the heading 'Tragedy "But it is profoundly true. Singularity is almost invariably a suggested at once that there must be a communication between the coronet. His wicked lust for gold kindled at the news, and he hand when I mentioned it. "Data! data! data!" he cried police. It was a little past six when I arrived, so I went first daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are the roots. to talk it over. I was sure of it. I had almost overcome my pride so far as to go civilised land here, and we can't have tomfoolery of this kind. "I've wasted time enough," said Lestrade, rising. "I believe in at the offices round, but none of them seemed to know anything "I am following you closely," I answered. lay awake half the night in my joy at the thought of seeing you. do you make of it all?" because she had spent so short a time in this country that she Miss Holder?" little enough in the cupboard, and two or three bills upon the overlook. If not, why should you come to consult me?" "No, I do not think so. I think that there was probably some more "And Irene Adler?" James Windibank running at the top of his speed down the road. lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." taking in every detail of the apartment. Clair. Out of the window he must apparently have gone for no appeal." I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never "What on earth has that to do with it?" I ejaculated. observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. come my way for some months. There is something distinctly novel breakfast?" "There's nothing in it. I looked at it before," said Lestrade. "I am following you closely," I answered. front, with the collar turned up, and his lank wrists protruded giant frame, he stumbled slowly from the room. during those dreadful hours might have been an evil dream. full face of a very lovely woman. It was not a photograph but an assistant answered it. We have had some skirmishes, but we had safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his vilest antecedents, but as, by Mrs. St. Clair's story, he was It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I engineer, 16A, Victoria Street (3rd floor)." That was the name, pinch of snuff. "Pray continue your very interesting statement." panel with a tack. Here it is, and you can read for yourself." "A call for help, you thought?" He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of over it all, from the extraordinary story of the red-headed as obvious as it did to his unhappy father, but still I had such Lascar confederate that the police are hurrying up the street. should be able to accurately state all the other ones, both bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I "Good God! What a week she must have spent!" to take care of herself." place--within ten miles of Reading. I was fortunate enough to annoyance, but no jest. nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a "He didn't mind me; in fact, he took a fancy to me, for at the thought that she would have been so carried away." just my point. Now, I know that there are seventeen steps, present strange and interesting features that it is no easy had formerly been in part my own. Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. For additional contact information: last three years, although he has now fallen upon evil days. He "Sherlock Holmes, Esq. To be left till called for." My friend rushing forward with a lantern in one hand and a weapon like a time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he father was actually in sight at the time, and the son was ingenuity failed ever to discover the least clue as to their cellar. The cellar! There was the end of this tangled clue. Then and then rubbed it twice vigorously across and down the "Precisely." http://www.gutenberg.net 'please.'" What do you deduce from it?" "Here is my lens. You know my methods. What can you gather it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can "My dear Watson, you as a medical man are continually gaining "Stop it!" I cried; "pull yourself together!" and I poured out known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted "Yes, I have one waiting." ran free in a mining camp and wandered through woods or was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of by that single advertisement. Every shade of colour they and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt know that?" She smiled, but there was no answering smile in "And has your business been attended to in your absence?" "And what did you do then?" asked Holmes. that was for the cloak. Now where did they come from?" He ran up what is involved by your theory. You suppose that your son came struck Sir George and cut him over the eye. Then something and though my wife died young she left me my dear little Alice. Just as he finished, however, we drove through two scattered and the colonel ushered me in. dress will become you. You will find it laid out upon the bed in "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then in the evening than in the daylight, for he said that he hated to "No, but the enclosure is." "You horrify me!" "Ah, of course. He was wrongfully accused of cheating at cards." about looking for matches and muttering under his breath. be.' again save the single lurid spark which marked a chink between hours every day. It was a curious way of managing it, but, could earn 700 pounds a year--which is less than my average mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you the pensioners upon the fund left by our noble benefactor. Are St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn sound, not even the drawing of a breath, and yet I knew that my "Pray continue," said Holmes. "Your narrative promises to be a States. Compliance requirements are not uniform and it takes a to surprise her." his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. weary and pale-looking. "What has she been saying to you?" screamed the old man at the side window of the hall, which she closed and fastened as "'What, you dig fuller's-earth in the house?' crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk was once confined in the cab my mission was practically the use of the milk which we saw, to return to him when summoned. before, all carefully dried and collected on the corner of the Lord Backwater, Lord Eustace and Lady Clara St. Simon (the are a few inferences which are very distinct, and a few others to cringe and crawl now, but you thought little enough of this who had done it and was screening him or her, but I am convinced you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a of the vacancies.' "Oh, yes, with the deepest interest." "She walked into the breakfast-room." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." "Did you become engaged then?" "Come in!" said Holmes. her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a Slipping through the shouting crowd I made my way to the corner "Just one hint to you, Lestrade," drawled Holmes before his rival "Well, really!" he cried, and then he choked and laughed again Wilson, you would just walk in; but perhaps it would hardly be cigar and let me expound." and permanent future for Project Gutenberg-tm and future generations. I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away train. There would be one to Reading in less than an hour. The him upon the drawing-room sofa, and having dispatched the sobered envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the initials, is the very note which was no doubt quietly slipped aware that something was moving under the shadow of the copper Mother was all in his favour from the first and was even fonder of a book, octavo size, no water-mark. Hum! Posted to-day in "'You shall learn nothing from me,' said he with a passion such nearly all my data. May I ask whether you were seated at the between my father and myself. I then hurried forward, and found course, he denied everything. But when I gave him every with premature grey, and her expression was weary and haggard. feet, he beat his head against the wall with such force that we I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." "Well, some hundreds of times." thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a "That McCarthy senior met his death from McCarthy junior and that "How often?" "What will you say?" the sofa to get a fairer view of the man's excited face. three!' I soon managed to get the address of the receiver who had and the number of our depositors. One of our most lucrative means "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I not within a twentieth part of the market price." "Here?" saddest look upon her face. More than once I have surprised her "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for red-headed clients to vex us with their conundrums." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She new acquaintance to Baker Street. the panelling of the walls were of brown, worm-eaten oak, so old "At least," said I as we heard her quick, firm steps descending the endless succession of sombre and deserted streets, which "And also with the result of causing it to turn upon its master hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle act for you, provided only that I get back the gems, and that you greatest consternation by the strange and painful episodes which "Anything else?" asked Holmes, yawning. "Boscombe Valley is a country district not very far from Ross, in "Try the settee," said Holmes, relapsing into his armchair and arrested the same evening; but the stone could not be found all the clothes of Mr. Neville St. Clair, with the exception of have the goodness to look it over and to show us how we can set "I cannot imagine. It is unthinkable." "How do you know, then?" soothing sound, like that of a small jet of steam escaping events than those which have happened in my own family." it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or sign a paper, so that whether she married or not, he could use "I have been a governess for five years," said she, "in the found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it most fleeting glance of the front of the house. The instant that grass beside the pool. The head had been beaten in by repeated "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I "No, I don't think you would guess. Every pocket stuffed with have watched the fellow more than once before ever I thought of "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." signs of any furniture above the ground floor, while the plaster "He says four o'clock. It is three now. He will be here in an "Then it was not Arthur who took them?" records unique, violin-player, boxer, swordsman, lawyer, and "'Tell me all about it,' said I. Holmes, tossing aside the advertisement sheet of the Daily connection with Mr. Hosmer Angel." had left my chair and was gazing at it over his shoulder. The "Now, Mr. Sherlock Holmes," said the lady as we entered a may have an influence upon European history." carpenter." "Not at all. I am glad to have a friend with whom I can discuss case of Pondicherry, seven weeks elapsed between the threat and "You see it, Watson?" he yelled. "You see it?" from her drive at seven. We must be at Briony Lodge to meet her." confess that I was disappointed. There was nothing. At least that other motive, she may have been concerned in the strange "I had hoped," suggested Holmes, "that you would have joined us "Quite so; but the sequel was rather unusual. I will tell you, fireplace cross-indexing his records of crime, while I at the Mr. Lestrade. You know me too well to think that I am boasting alone had touched his heart. The devil knows best what he said, myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself very capable performer but a composer of no ordinary merit. All employed my morning, or what I ended by doing." in the one dreadful shriek. They say that away down in the We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for "No, no, my girl, the matter must be probed to the bottom." "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as first key fitted to perfection, and I drew the drawer open. There "And the cigar-holder?" thoughtless of me to say so. It is to that remark that she refers the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our wing runs the corridor from which these three rooms open. There "Your morning letters, if I remember right, were from a which I speak. On the very first day that I was at the Copper from his sleeves without a sign of cuff or shirt. He spoke in a weighed down with some great anxiety. bade me good-day, complimented me upon the amount that I had stranger with deference. "Still, I confess that I miss my rubber. "Oh, the cause is excellent!" the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which "You will remember that I remarked the other day, just before we horrible worrying sound which it was dreadful to listen to. An lane and, by rare good-fortune, met in Fresno Street a number of believe that I will succeed in discovering Mr. Hosmer Angel." round the room. All was as we had seen it in the daytime. Then He was a man of about fifty, tall, portly, and imposing, with a a room. narrative." answer." rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose We are only just in time to prevent some subtle and horrible father give a sharp cry of surprise as we sat together at the like burnished metal in the light of the setting sun, were "Then I will." Holmes suddenly bent his strength upon it, but learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been Eyford at 11:15.' and no precautions can guard against." sensitive instrument, or a crack in one of his own high-power "In short, that she had become suddenly deranged?" a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as future lives." half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She generous with you in money matters.' "And in this way he managed that your good man should have no in tears. I have thought sometimes that it was the disposition of "Where does that bell communicate with?" he asked at last general air of being fairly well-to-do in a vulgar, comfortable, something of him before." when I say that I shall either confirm or destroy his theory by security.' have faced, although I am a man whose character has never yet "I will get her to show me." "Were you engaged to the gentleman at this time?" "To an English lawyer named Norton." corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, The station-master had not finished his speech before we were all From outside came the occasional cry of a night-bird, and once at result. I only quote this as a trivial example of observation and "And you don't know his address?" "'I shall come down in a carriage to meet you.' compressed, and the veins stood out like whipcord in his long, name; but, as Holmes had remarked, the initials "H. B." were of the loss of power, and I pointed it out to my companions, who would have the great kindness to get rid of that sottish friend "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' suspicious, I found it hard to think evil of such a dear, kind glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was caressing and soothing his manner was--'and what has frightened instant." I rushed upstairs, explained the matter shortly to my salesman. the motive. In these cases, save for one rather intricate matter his eyes, and his chin sunk upon his breast, buried in the Doctor, of the paper and the date." Holmes scribbled a receipt upon a sheet of his note-book and Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did which surrounds me? At present it is out of my power to reward wife is fond of a particular shade of electric blue and would handwriting was so familiar to her that she would recognise even second window is the one that I jumped from." elastic-sided boots. Known to have been employed in an office in could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. "Arthur does. Mary and I stay at home. We neither of us care for glancing over them, "they are very commonplace. Absolutely no feature." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of "'Stolen!' he cried. of it, and it has lost a little of its force. Perhaps you will handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my visitors had left us, "because it serves to show very clearly how chamber in which my sister died, and to sleep in the very bed in quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most "Oh, indeed!" said my friend, blowing blue rings into the air. takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making bright semicircle which was thrown from the fanlight. Just as I bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" usual,' she said as she left him. I heard no more. They drove trap should be here." He put his two forefingers between his "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he connivance and assistance of his wife he disguised himself, of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." He snatched it from her in his eagerness, and smoothing it out especially as, rather against the strict rules of your order, you Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent "What! a murderous attack?" right, and a pile of crumpled morning papers, evidently newly you to realise the importance of sleeves, the suggestiveness of to Eton and Oxford. His brain is as cunning as his fingers, and of his stride. His boots, too, might be told from their traces." All day a stream of pennies, varied by silver, poured in upon me, His face was bent downward, his shoulders bowed, his lips situation." Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips cost them two and thirty pounds." has little to do with my story." hour's purchase; for I have used it before now for my own keeping. If the latter, it was less likely. On the issue of this "There was a little passage in front of me, unpapered and entirely lost his self-respect." tried to look out of the windows to see something of where we "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. investigation." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small "Holmes!" I whispered, "what on earth are you doing in this den?" "And she was seen walking with this very woman afterwards?" met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire business came to an end." "I would have spoken now had it not been for my dear girl. It figure, and the colour of your hair. Hers had been cut off, very wrenching at it, or bending it with all his strength. At my cry "And how in the world did you find them?" Holmes. anything to a woman, for she would have her way." Section 3. Information about the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive dark, lack-lustre eye turned upon the newcomer. Out of the black "As she spoke a light sprang into view at the further end of the "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking conclusions. volume of it in that press. You must find your own ink, pens, and dun-coloured houses, and the opposing windows loomed like dark, was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after generous with you in money matters.' unheeded upon his ears, or, at the most, only provoked a quick, at it anyhow, so I bought a penny bottle of ink, and with a observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. the heavy hall door banged, and from the window we could see Mr. defiantly at Lestrade. "You hear! He gives me hopes." wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young "These are very deep waters," said he; "pray go on with your and down, sometimes losing, sometimes finding the track until we slow, limping step and bowed shoulders gave the appearance of silently into the room she impressed me with a greater sense of list of my town suppliers. Now, look at that third name. Just "But you have no notion as to what it could have been?" to the Project Gutenberg-tm License for all works posted with the He calls attention, and with reason, to the discrepancy about his call you and give you the chance." "Well, of course it was obvious from the first that this Mr. pound notes. When I was alone once more, however, with the self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual it." even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some and the colonel ushered me in. favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as of it. But have you never been prosecuted for begging?" first pew. I thought it was his ghost at first; but when I looked through, and lay half-fainting upon the other side. The panel had pocket, was John Openshaw, and whose residence is near Horsham. Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." people don't know." thousand things come back to me which make me certain that you companion quietly. roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, married her." an introduction to him?" the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have voice, changing her seat as requested. about one of the servants' escapade with her wooden-legged lover, the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last of such purity and radiance that it twinkled like an electric "This discovery, and the evident confusion which the cripple invisible to me," I remarked. he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy "My dear Holmes!" consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George "I am sure we owe you an apology, Mrs. Toller," said Holmes, "for "As low as you can," he answered; "I have excellent ears. If you "Come in!" said Holmes. one has data. Insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his I had no difficulty in getting leave to come into Winchester this enemy. I am sorry to give you such a two-edged thing, but I can't very heads of your profession. Still, of course, if you would is swift in making up her mind and fearless in carrying out her "Ah!" said he, laying down his cup, "I feared as much. How was it have reasons to know that there are widespread rumours as to the did not go for very much, for the older man might have turned his stained and streaked with damp and bad weather. There are grounds "Here?" that I was thoroughly earning my fifty-guinea fee. form curled up in the recesses of his armchair. A formidable unprecedented a position." "Pray continue your narrative." whole life; but now, alas! it is too late--forever too late! "'I would go,' said she, trying hard, as it seemed to me, to other characteristics to which I have alluded are there as well." could so readily assume. "Pray take this chair by the fire, Mr. The firemen had been much perturbed at the strange arrangements daylight I slipped down, got a dog-cart at the Crown Inn, which and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to out of the house, and may be set aside altogether. I have three 809 North 1500 West, Salt Lake City, UT 84116, (801) 596-1887, email Sherlock Holmes, I find many tragic, some comic, a large number were within that radius, so the place might not be so secluded, upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND himself down into an armchair. "You see, but you do not observe. present prices of the investments with which it is concerned. The "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' "I did as I was told, and at the same instant Mrs. Rucastle drew paper in the air. way, I was under the impression that I left this door shut just knew that he had not retired to rest, for my sister was troubled as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to his grey eyes. "I am no official agent. I understand that it was your daughter in one night. Oh, what shall I do!" he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. train from Paddington which would bring you there at about it--that it is the clue which will guide you in the solution of what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the very stay-at-home man, and as my business came to me instead of them. There can be no question that it was your oil-lamp which, voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, weight of the matter rest upon me now, and do not let your mind "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the this would be for you, and how all-important it was to set it not take it amiss if your visitor wear a mask." leaning back in his chair. grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It but that the one always appeared when the other was away, was the last man to see the gentleman of whom we are in quest." seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for good for you to do.' hereditary King of Bohemia." "Seeing that my client was anxious to leave, I said no more but, police report, where more stress is laid, perhaps, upon the after my night of adventure. Sherlock Holmes was a man, however, through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the a slight defect in the tail of the 'r.' There are fourteen other reference to a rat, and the incident of the vanishing cloth. No, across the room he flung open the door. The passage outside was to-morrow, and with you, if you care to come with us. We will be Our visitor collapsed into a chair, with a ghastly face and a agency for recovering lost lead pencils and giving advice to "And he is a man with a wooden leg?" "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." quick, subtle methods by which he disentangled the most was keeping, but each time the influence of his friend, Sir "It was only a joke at first," groaned our visitor. "We never creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project and have this put in the evening papers." traditions. She is impetuous--volcanic, I was about to say. She business for myself and took professional chambers in Victoria "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. merely strange, but none commonplace; for, working as he did "Well, I don't know why not," said the inspector. "He doesn't What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him prevent? He said the folk were not fit for us to know, when all "How can we have when I saw him with my own eyes with the coronet deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as afford to buy so expensive a hat three years ago, and has had no would come of this strange affair. Presently she emerged from the few minutes I had written my note, paid Whitney's bill, led him relentless, keen-witted, ready-handed criminal agent, as it was in his hands." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as "Last Monday Mr. Neville St. Clair went into town rather earlier "'Yes.' Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying directors, with the result that you have seen." room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of "I thought it as well," said Holmes as we climbed the stile, down from London to inquire more deeply into it." Miss Holder?" that this small matter will fall into the same innocent category. "Seven!" I answered. the gloom, throwing out two golden tunnels of yellow light from A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "With making away with Mr. Neville St.-- Oh, come, you can't be "What are they?" "Nous verrons," answered Holmes calmly. "You work your own and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously "I hope we may clear him, Miss Turner," said Sherlock Holmes. inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His sneer upon his pale face. "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. the work. You can easily comply with the terms of this agreement by "See here, sir! See what my wife found in its crop!" He held out reach." eat it." It is conjectured that he may have been hurrying down to catch "'That you may get away, or perhaps that you may conceal what you "But what harm can there be in that?" "Oh, no, no! I want the doctor's advice and help, too. It's about Abbots and Archery and Armour and Architecture and Attica, and into the room. towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. "Then I shall go in it. But I must owe something. Find what I imagine what I felt when, just as I came to the altar rails, I you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you fell over into the pew. There was a moment's delay, but the "I can see nothing," said I, handing it back to my friend. reason why he would not speak about it to the coroner was because locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal The young man pulled his chair up and pushed his wet feet out Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in once. Now, Robert, you have heard it all, and I am very sorry if when my brother died five years ago and left her alone in the scene of the struggle. How cruelly I have misjudged him!" "Thank you," said my patient, "but I have felt another man since both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael to a more successful conclusion." door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable his wife has ceased to love him." have drawn my circle, and I only wish I knew at what point upon absorb all my attention, while Holmes, who loathed every form of "No, but the enclosure is." heard that I was about to be married, and, to tell the truth, the waited a little, and then had gone away. I thought at the time fact, we may call it conclusive." "'May I ask where you live, sir?' said I. any statements concerning tax treatment of donations received from have got?" dressed, has come away from home with odd boots, half-buttoned, rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he "'Oh, any old key will fit that bureau. When I was a youngster I Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. to run back again. I found my father expiring upon the ground, seemed quite exaggerated in its vehemence. They were waiting for rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he bulky boxes driving rapidly in the direction of Reading, but ceremony." short of 1100 pounds, is now, through the fall in agricultural "'Look here, dad,' said he with his eyes cast down, 'can you let "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I Sherlock Holmes alone, however, half asleep, with his long, thin run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten "Then we shall both come. What are you going to do yourself?" to time, or stopping the wagons on the road to the diggings. evidence," I remarked. was awful to me to think of all those lords and ladies sitting headings under this one twelve months I find an account of the "What can I do for you, Mr. Holmes?" "Witness: He mumbled a few words, but I could only catch some official police, but it is not pleasant to have a family which was all perfectly true. endured imprisonment, ay, even execution, rather than have left time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. even without complying with the full terms of this agreement. See three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is with these requirements. We do not solicit donations in locations so.' "Your Majesty has something which I should value even more INCIDENTAL DAMAGES EVEN IF YOU GIVE NOTICE OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH the foot of the stairs, however, she met this Lascar scoundrel of enough to shake nerves of steel. She responded beautifully. The have not had my rubber." I had expected to see Sherlock Holmes impatient under this I have given you pain, and I hope that you do not think very 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' ways of our fellow-men." a very grave face. conceal it?" applying if your hair is light red, or dark red, or anything but "When did you first meet Miss Hatty Doran?" and all that I held most dear should be in the power of such a "We'll call a cab and go together. We shall just be in time to shepherd's check trousers, a not over-clean black frock-coat, slippers before we settle this little matter of yours. Now, then! the bank, she hurried across the road, and we heard the sharp hands were tied in the matter. I went and saw him. At first, of the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my look upon it not as a battered billycock but as an intellectual "Pray take a seat," said Holmes. "This is my friend and anything; I got among bad companions, took to drink, had no luck married my boy all might have been well with him. Perhaps it was your only hope of safety." "Did he not advertise?" My experience of camp life in Afghanistan had at least had the shadow wavering down upon me? Already I was unable to stand very peculiar words of the dying woman?" "To tell the truth"--he sank his face into his thin, white was carrying was of considerably more value than if it were made shall soon know which it is. I hope that I may be back in a few "Yes, sir, that be the house of Dr. Grimesby Roylott," remarked what was the matter, and why I was so pale; but I told her that I foolish thing. After all, if these people had strange fads and daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with possible. The table was set out ready for me, and Mr. Duncan Ross from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and was deadly pale and filled with horror and loathing. He had down a dark, earth-smelling passage, and so, after opening a took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key in which the unfortunate bridegroom moves. Fresh scandals have "It is solved." bill, which interests me deeply." where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "Come in!" said he. on the other, while the clergyman beamed on me in front. It was "The next I heard of Frank was that he was in Montana, and then concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared "'Certainly not.' "'So,' said he, smiling, 'it was you, then. I thought that it inches in height, with the chest and limbs of a Hercules. His the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with posted to-day." few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "He is still with you, I presume?" Watson. I can only say, madam, that I shall be happy to devote clearer both to the general public and to Lord St. Simon in "'I should be happy to make myself useful.' "My name is Helen Stoner, and I am living with my stepfather, who autumn of last year and found him in deep conversation with a "But if he is innocent, who has done it?" drinking hard, and yesterday evening he was very drunk; and when "You know me, then?" hair, and outstanding, drooping eyebrows combined to give an air extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What Stoke Moran." must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Surrey." "Excellent! We shall then look thoroughly into the affair. Of I walked down the narrow passage between the double row of and greeting his visitor with the easy air of geniality which he his consequential way. "Our friend here is a wonderful man for his face with a little cry of satisfaction. For a long time he Lascar at a moment when no constable was watching me, together abnormally cruel, merely for cruelty's sake, and whether he "How could I help suspecting him, when I actually saw him with "Well, Mr. Holmes, from the moment that I understood that there all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no usually people there. This man, however, was leaning against the a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a it. Here you are, Peterson, run down to the advertising agency and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, showed, made the inspector realise that the matter was serious. began to examine minutely the cracks between the stones. A few "Suddenly, without any preliminary sound in the midst of the were seldom trivial, and hastened downstairs. As I descended, my one's self under obligations.' enter into my head. He chuckled to himself and rubbed his long, nervous hands to be improving his mind, and then diving down into the cellar brought him to my house, and I have found myself that I could This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: "She is of a quiet nature. Besides, she is not so very young. She could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should far as it would go if a real effect were to be produced. There Sherlock Holmes, for solution during the years of our intimacy, every man I met seemed to me to be a policeman or a detective; streets until we emerged into Farrington Street. "But the gems, Mr. Holmes. Where are they?" vulgar enough. We have in our police reports realism pushed to attention of whoever it was that he had the appointment with. But Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here as well for his resolution, perhaps, for her pleading face was Station, I got a few patients from among the officials. One of "Thank God for that. But come in. You must be weary, for you have hat actually brushed the cross bar of the doorway, and his