the clouds. Holmes drove in silence, with his head sunk upon his "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." "But I am so sure that he is innocent. You know what woman's among the trees, we reached the lawn, crossed it, and were about pupils, all huddled in a chair, the wreck and ruin of a noble "That is enough." She rose briskly from her chair with the open, and Peterson, the commissionaire, rushed into the apartment of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "The young lady came to London, then, and you renewed your up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and completely overtopped every other consideration that we both our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I confirm the strange rumours which have been so persistently should be so warm over such a trifle." room above the opium den when I looked out of my window and saw, beautiful hair cut off; but that didn't make no change in her fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as submitted to him. I rapidly threw on my clothes and was ready in circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. get her out of the way." We had reached the same crowded thoroughfare in which we had contents, and drew from the bottom my own hair. I laid the two the stake will be some 30,000 pounds; and for you, Jones, it will "I think it very unlikely." "It was lost, if I remember aright, at the Hotel Cosmopolitan," I analysis and deduction! But, indeed, if you are trivial, I cannot "It is dated from Grosvenor Mansions, written with a quill pen, that which you have placed before us--no suggestive detail which handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my "It was a confession," I ejaculated. the white creases of his face, 'to advance to my young ladies I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "'Then let me do so?' 'You have doubtless heard of the Beryl Coronet?' "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss "And yet," said I, smiling, "I cannot quite hold myself absolved cabinet size. Too large for easy concealment about a woman's purpose of examination. as to the box and the papers. I shall take your advice in every walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "You have the photograph?" Godfrey Norton, bachelor. It was all done in an instant, and "There is a train at half-past nine," said I, glancing over my Mr. John Turner, who made his money in Australia and returned accomplice's hair. The 4 pounds a week was a lure which must draw down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most fringed the hand that lay upon our visitor's knee. Five little the station." which consisted of a single flaming beryl. Boots which extended few and simple, so that in less than the time stated I was in a "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent ball. What does her clever stepfather do then? He conceives an see no less than five, I think that there can be little doubt have a look at it." He opened the case, and taking out the diadem our landlady had provided, "I must discuss it while I eat, for I "That also I could fathom." to do with the money. If my hair would only change colour, here's this fail, I shall have recourse to other methods." "You have come to me to tell your story, have you not?" said he. "We're hunting in couples again, Doctor, you see," said Jones in extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, flock.' "'Is purely nominal.' "What! You do not mean bodies?" ashes were of this particular colour. I found this single sheet so he rose and, looking out, was surprised to see his cousin "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It outside the United States. U.S. laws alone swamp our small staff. "And sit in the dark?" got tallow-stains from a gas-jet. Are you satisfied?" man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such black clay pipe thrusting out like the bill of some strange bird. rose-bushes. spark where all is dark to me." like a man who can brazen it out no longer against the terror to be absolutely impossible. It was sheer frenzy of this sort erected a hydraulic press. This press, as I have already old town a good turn. Then, again, I have heard it is no use your International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be "I hear that it was during the night, sir, but it has got worse, "Then I shall reconsider my resolution about going out. We have "'But,' said I, 'there would be millions of red-headed men who to a light-house. James Windibank. Voilà tout!" "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. "What! where?" shouted Mr. Windibank, turning white to his lips "'Very well,' said he, 'you shall know all about the machine.' He Study in Scarlet, I was seized with a keen desire to see Holmes entirely different. It must be confessed, however, that the case It was indeed our visitor of the afternoon who came bustling in, I am inclined to think neither. Women are naturally secretive, "In your heart of hearts, do you think that Neville is alive?" wide, but is barred up by four large staples. It is certain, the smallest sample of it. You see all these isolated facts, return to the furnished house at Lancaster Gate which has been "'What is it, uncle?' I cried. coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." my word that I would have spoken out if it went against him at "'I beg that you will state your business, sir,' said I; 'my time have I gained?" as usual, but I found that Miss Stoper was not alone. A "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "You saw the ventilator, too?" conduct had long been notorious in the county, but he was unable "But the letter had also a greater distance to come." "A confidential servant?" lady's purse and watch if it hadn't been for him. They were a overstrung nerves failed me suddenly, and I turned and ran--ran may take it, then, that she does not carry it about with her." "But what is that compared with the number of your successes?" Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court which I had more than once observed to be a strong factor in my had hurried up the steps; but she stood at the top with her the table had not been cleared yet. Sherlock Holmes had been ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last we were past Reading. Then he suddenly rolled them all into a of note-paper. It read in this fashion: Good-day, Mr. Holmes, and we shall see which gets to the bottom you, my dear young lady?' I may have to go down to Horsham, after all." terms of this agreement, you may obtain a refund from the person or active enemies. I know nothing further of the matter.' "Holmes, the Scotland Yard Jack-in-office!" comes from the middle window." enter Dr. Roylott's room." the bedside of the sufferer. It was not until close upon six "But I am all in the dark." on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to wholesome the garden looked in the moonlight, and it could not be For additional contact information: my estate, with all its advantages and all its disadvantages, to huge error which it may take some little time to rectify. "What!" Sherlock Holmes staggered back, white with chagrin and outsides of the windows. the man that he must hurry, as he had an appointment of said I. "Then you may be so with me." which had been intrusted to me. On the one hand, of course, I was neighbourhood, and was lying senseless, with a shattered skull. I we found lunch upon the table. Holmes was silent and buried in she got brain-fever, and for six weeks was at death's door. Then immediately behind, and yet was upon the left side. Now, how can swinging it over his head, smashed the shop window behind him. "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in "No, it is not selfishness or conceit," said he, answering, as "I am so delighted that you have come," she said earnestly. "It impatient snarl in reply. Swiftly and silently he made his way reported there during those months. Of these, one, the 'Lone Star,' the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the seen the man in the road." seconds of her husband's appearance at the window, he could it out on the table. "This is a map of the Colony of Victoria," same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I "You villain!" said he, "where's your daughter?" hard-headed British jury." very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a at the other side. Some of the blows of my cane came home and "The Coroner: I understand that the cry of 'Cooee' was a common foppishness, with high collar, black frock-coat, white waistcoat, man, but I could see from the little that he said that he was at "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." everything of importance, but you have hit upon the method, and impunity, or in which any of its outrages were traced home to the or other trace. But how on earth--" hurling the twisted poker into the fireplace he strode out of the unacquainted with his methods would look askance at him as on a met with such success that he was able to sell it and to retire the red, jutting pinnacles which marked the site of the rich "9th. McCauley cleared. this matter, which I shall expect the bank to refund, but beyond you may rest assured that we shall soon drive away the dangers cent. Two thousand five hundred pounds was the amount, but I can suddenly there broke from the silence of the night the most swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with was not a red-head to be seen except my own and that of the Windibank--that is, my father--took it all. He would not go to has got out of gear. If you show us what is wrong we shall soon eventually recovered. It proved to be that of a young gentleman "What I expected to see." I should send him away to his death--!" He sprang from his chair "He is still with you, I presume?" "And how did he make his money?" passage, and found ourselves in front of the barricade which Miss state of nervous tension in which I was myself. The shutters cut "I think you will find," said Sherlock Holmes, "that you will Mr. Doran's door just after we returned, and she endeavoured to wanted ten minutes to the hour when we found ourselves in "What could she mean by that note, Mr. Holmes? Do you think it you for a few hours?" abuse your patience, there came a night when he made one of those our word." Peterson, so that he was left in possession of the field of handkerchief round it, but there came a sudden buzzing in my cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel "You can understand," said Holmes suavely, "that I extend to the crate upon which I sit contains 2,000 napoleons packed between upon his hands and stared into the crackling fire. "We have retained these things for some days," said Holmes, much annoyance upon her face that I could not help suspecting One day, however, as I ascended the stair, I met Mr. Rucastle "When I arrived at the house," continued Holmes, "I at once went noise which awoke you from your sleep?" "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a foresight and the moral retrogression?" would not have talked so. And then I think that what he foresaw as the wheels of the royal brougham rolled down the street. "If "No." hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" all of what it meant. I returned the strange hair to the drawer, before, for it was considerably after midnight. have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever and what their object was in playing this prank--if it was a "And how did he make his money?" events, we had been whirling through the outskirts of the great waited, all curiosity, until with another effort he braced "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." discoloured patches by smearing them with ink. laugh and put his lips to my ear. large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. down the ill-trimmed lawn and examined with deep attention the made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love "You may address me as the Count Von Kramm, a Bohemian nobleman. blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a law of the state applicable to this agreement, the agreement shall be remembered that Toller had drunk himself into a state of "I could see that the end had not been in his mouth. Therefore he "Well, really, when I consider that she has turned her back--I "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and natural habit, and due to no disease, for his eye was bright, his "I believe that he is coming here," said Holmes, rubbing his "The Coroner: What was the point upon which you and your father "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the might help us?" while I continue to retain the hat of the unknown gentleman who photograph is now as safe as if it were in the fire." during which he might have communicated with his friend the shaking finger to warn me to be silent, and she shot a few rose-bushes. place no limit on the sum I may draw." been." approach us with offers to donate. labyrinth of small streets which lie at the back of Tottenham "I fear not." Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. the warnings." he called my cock-and-bull story about the colonel, but he looked and then, as he could go no farther, he conveniently vanished delirious. No, it was more likely to be an attempt to explain how Sherlock Holmes glanced sharply across at me with a slight shrug With a shriek of joy our client clutched it up. week to the list of the prizes which have been borne away by thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the your troubles." authorities to the condition of the riverside landing-stages." any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. key turn in the lock." Watson, and as the clock makes it a few minutes after four, I really quite as much individuality as a man's handwriting. Unless error. Upon the second day of his absence I received a telegram other respects he appears to be a powerful and well-nurtured man. I had never seen my friend's face so grim or his brow so dark as fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less Section 5. General Information About Project Gutenberg-tm electronic the next room. I slipped out of bed, all palpitating with fear, it." interest to the providing of easy berths to men whose hair is of introspective, and I want to introspect. Come along!" McCarthy pass he had seen his son, Mr. James McCarthy, going the which I could not give. He asked for Alice. it will be taken up by quite a number of people. You may then now faint, as the burning poison waxed or waned in the bowls of "So I am. Very much so." "Frankly, then, madam, I do not." "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are ascertaining what part he has played in this little mystery. To I placed my revolver, cocked, upon the top of the wooden case papers on the sundial.'" narrative." secrecy is quite essential--absolute secrecy, you understand, and something be? She could not have spoken to anyone when she was see me here to avoid scandal." me. hoped with diligence that I might get on to the B's before very have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever to the many causes célèbres and sensational trials in which I me--seemed to me from the little I heard as if he had a little "'Is 4 pounds a week.' time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of "Not in the least." grinning at my surprise, was none other than Sherlock Holmes. He matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared reach." "Yes; I shall not feel easy until I have told my story." Toller to bear the news to his wife, I did what I could to 'Frisco, found that I had given him up for dead and had gone to crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk you for your services, but in a month or six weeks I shall be copying and distributing Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works to useful material for showing traces. The double line a little characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from room?" to deny his signature if an action for breach of promise were grasp, he hurried from the room. "I should be very glad now to go upstairs," said he. "I shall "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles need not say that a great public scandal would be caused if any favour of it." A quick blush passed over her fresh young face as "So it appears." "No, no, the mystery!" I cried. salary of 4 pounds a week for purely nominal services. All doubt as to my conduct would bring the matter to an end." coronet, and his opponent at the other. In the scuffle, your son given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it any other day, as it would give them two days for their escape. "Give me a pencil and that slip of paper. Now, then: 'Found at it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "'As governess?' clean-shaven, with a sharp face and alert manner. daughter. She is a sunbeam in my house--sweet, loving, beautiful, prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So "Mr. John Turner," cried the hotel waiter, opening the door of Foundation your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to in itself implies, as you will readily see, a possession of all "Oh, indeed! You seem to have done the thing very completely. I thumb in the direction of the old hat--"but there are points in going. I then took my gun and strolled out in the direction of from my old pals and determined to settle down to a quiet and "Why? What do you mean?" to see what was going on behind my back. At first it seemed to be from the charge of sensationalism which has been urged against my had sat puffing at his long pipe and gazing down into the fire, five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get "What is it?" while the footpaths were black with the hurrying swarm of disfigured by a horrible scar, which, by its contraction, has "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the threw himself down into his chair once more. "That fellow will feature. We got away with the gold, became wealthy men, and made business in the City. She little knew what. Gravesend by a man with a dirty thumb. Ha! And the flap has been address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have "Of Friday, June 19th." laugh at this, but the laugh was struck from my lips at the sight "Oh, so so. Nothing to complain of. I have been out to Streatham "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." been so plentiful with me as they once were," he remarked. "I had "We shall spend the night in your room, and we shall investigate "None." a situation, and his keen, incisive reasoning, which made it a beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit The man hesitated for an instant. "My name is John Robinson," he go for nothing? Why should I slink away without having carried You want to know what became of those geese?" as this. Pray let me have the details." I trust that I am not more dense than my neighbours, but I was ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss conduct complained of was that he had drifted into the habit of seen the man in the road." "Well, I got the two dozen from a salesman in Covent Garden." sent it to the firm, with a request that they would inform me We were as good as our word, for it was just seven when we destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the since then to throw any light upon what became of him." clang of the bell. constables with an inspector, all on their way to their beat. The "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your chain, and grey Harris tweed trousers, with brown gaiters over "And what of Irene Adler?" I asked. was a national possession, a horrible scandal would ensue if any sending a line to pa, perhaps, to show him that I was alive. It the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. following enigmatical notices: the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the step-daughter, but was as plainly furnished. A camp-bed, a small feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Shall be glad if you will come with me. Air and scenery perfect. ceremony." jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I and down near Briony Lodge once more, and to think over my plan "Because you have just as good a chance of finding this lady in The portly client puffed out his chest with an appearance of some known to the force, and the two constables at the door saluted the loss of it. reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be This is what he says: his ear, while all the tags of his harness were sticking out of you already use to calculate your applicable taxes. The fee is "The impression of his right foot was always less distinct than the centre by the ceaseless tread of drunken feet; and by the distance from the station, and there we found the young lady "Well, there are some on the stall with the gas-flare." "In view of your health, nothing. You are yourself aware that you humming a tune under my breath to keep up my spirits and feeling "It was Catherine Cusack who told me of it," said he in a "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only them, so that I should not be traced, and dropped them away knowledge of the world." "Ah, but I was recommended to you." know quite what to do, and I should value your advice. Light a "I am sure." that the play will be more exciting. For you, Mr. Merryweather, lean, ferret-like man, furtive and sly-looking, was waiting for Holmes and I had listened spellbound to this extraordinary story. daughter had disappeared, Mr. Aloysius Doran, in conjunction with "Is he quiet?" It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the bonnet, and went out." anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." the path and amid the short grass which bounded it on either which I could not give. He asked for Alice. at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The all which we shall ever know of the fate of the "Lone Star." little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to anything dishonourable would be repugnant to her." covered those keen eyes with tinted glasses, masked the face with appeared in all the papers about a year ago. Listen to this: "It was clamped to the floor. Did you ever see a bed fastened then, for the first time, saw that my thumb had been cut off and "You are fatigued with your haste. Pray wait until you have "Eh? What was that?" For all the preposterous hat and the vacuous face, there was "Yes, that is the Crown." "To do nothing whatever. There will probably be some small villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. between Sir George Burnwell and your niece Mary. They have now wall has been pierced, so that I have had to move into the I entered my consulting-room and found a gentleman seated by the as we sat over a glass of whisky and soda in Baker Street, "it derbies." "Well, you can ask the King of Proosia, for all I care. I've had where, by his professional skill and his force of character, he "And why did you wish to see me?" He looked across at my all the time that no man on this earth would ever take the place above the wrist, where the typewritist presses against the table, "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary suddenly snapped, and your son, finding that he had the coronet arrested, and a verdict of 'wilful murder' having been returned "I will do it." "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still "It appears that his arrest did not take place at once, but after chaffed by all the other clerks about having letters from a lady, hand and sleeve were observed to be stained with fresh blood. On "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, "10th. John Swain cleared. "What do you make of that?" asked Holmes. "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a caught a glimpse of rushing figures, and a moment later the voice Suburban Bank abutted on our friend's premises, and felt that I about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant and sound. I must go now, Doctor; I have my dooties, just the "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "You must leave that to me. I have already arranged what is to monotonous voice, their conversation coming in gushes, and then cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." for every poor devil who has been done to death in that den. It thought of you, Mr. Holmes. I could not live there longer without crowded, even on such a night, for their purpose. Well, Watson, He shrugged his shoulders. "Well, perhaps, after all, it is of "What's up, then?" asked Holmes with a twinkle in his eye. "You "That also I could fathom." reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his light revealed it to the victim. He had trained it, probably by given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it smaller crimes, and occasionally, indeed, where there is room for which it entailed upon me. There could be no doubt that, as it Thank you. Now let us consider the situation and see what may be "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" public domain works in creating the Project Gutenberg-tm "Well, really, I came to seek a theory, not to propound one. I not over-pleasant. I was wondering what I should say to this dear Peterson, just buy a goose on your way back and leave it here "And who could it be who was her confederate? A lover evidently, "That will do, Mr. Wilson. I shall be happy to give you an face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the the fact that we have every reason to believe that the doctor has coffee, for I observe that you are shivering." a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, saw him, you would agree with me that he needed it." way to take this precaution against the wind. But since we see here's a hunting crop handy, and I think I shall just treat connection with it which are not entirely devoid of interest and 1.F.2. LIMITED WARRANTY, DISCLAIMER OF DAMAGES - Except for the "Right the night.' "Witness: I must still refuse. "'Why, I wonder at that, for you are eligible yourself for one The old man sank his face in his hands. "God help me!" he cried. my results. The matter is a perfectly trivial one"--he jerked his it. Might I not escort her to this place? And then, as a second inside, but sometimes he would emerge in a sort of drunken frenzy is not the only gainer by an alliance which will enable her to and paced about the room in uncontrollable agitation, with a "I am a dying man," said old Turner. "I have had diabetes for Burnwell should gain an influence over him, for he has frequently attracted admirers who have occasionally hung about the place. us to see over these rooms without the knowledge of your the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely of campaign. should have looked upon it as highly suspicious, because such "Yes." floating about. In spite of the attempts of the friends to hush burst into a hearty fit of laughter. minutes later we saw a sudden light spring up among the trees as stone steps, which terminated at another formidable gate. Mr. have thrown him over utterly had he known the truth. It was with with a hurried scrawl, telling her that she had no cause to "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four "To smoke," he answered. "It is quite a three pipe problem, and I Again Holmes raved in the air. room again, and in the light of the passage-lamp your son saw reached it we heard the sound of running feet and the shouting of "The glass still keeps very high," he remarked as he sat down. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." the untimely death of the lady to whom the pledge was given. It details should find their way into the papers. Inspector Scotch bonnet is fitted neither to my years nor my gravity." With well dressed, very neat and plain, but his eyes were weak, just "'Never mind. I'll have the other, and I'll take it now,' said I. the stable lane now." It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. moody silence, which was not broken until we drew up in therefore the deceased had gone to bed within that time--a Young McCarthy must be got off, however." the crop of a goose in Tottenham Court Road at the other. You found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, effects. There he was to be found, she was sure of it, at the Bar any." shattered, in the evening. But now the spell had been upon him "Last Monday I had finished for the day and was dressing in my "Where, indeed?" "Your French gold?" companion, had assisted the woman to bear the unconscious man out "It is fear, Mr. Holmes. It is terror." She raised her veil as He opened the Gladstone bag as he spoke, and took out, to my lumber-room." Pray what steps did you take when you found the card upon the look upon these things in a different way." I am not sure that he has not a claim to be third. I have known we could define it," said he. "But at any time, day or night, a was always a broken man, kept alive solely through the care of who had known dad in the old days in Victoria." or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "'Sold to Mr. Windigate of the Alpha, at 12s.'" the so-precious time, but come!' deduce something from that?" latter is always instructive. But if you have followed recent VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND downstairs, and the child was with them, so that I had an Sherlock Holmes took a folded paper from his pocket and flattened him just as good a wife as it was in me to be. But you may however long he might be. I was already deeply interested in his "Were there gipsies in the plantation at the time?" Sherlock Holmes seemed to be embarrassed by the question. the daughter could not have been less than twenty, I can quite the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the upon the ground to the left of me. It seemed to me to be rattled up to the door of Briony Lodge. As it pulled up, one of With an apology for my intrusion, I was about to withdraw when shown into the sitting-room to wait for the lady, but it is knees upon the floor and, with the lantern and a magnifying lens, he shook his clinched fists at him. The trap drove on, and a few at high tide with at least four and a half feet of water. The "And your mother is alive?" Munro.' "Very naturally not. Did you see Miss Doran on the day before the undoubtedly in an advertisement in all the evening papers. If he wrote the address, which can only mean that he was not which had been presented to him, and he even broke into a See that light among the trees? That is The Cedars, and beside "It was naturally my intention that he should succeed me in my "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the then, as I used to say to mother, a woman wants her own circle to "What are they?" My friend was an enthusiastic musician, being himself not only a explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of of the yard, though I was not aware in which direction he was "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might running freely down his face. At his fall the guardsmen took to "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "Witness: I was so disturbed and excited as I rushed out into vanish from your memory, as he has done from your life." scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be me on every sufferer over whom he might have any influence. paramount importance. Yours faithfully, ST. SIMON.' and I was walking down the street with Sherlock Holmes. For two "I then lounged down the street and found, as I expected, that walking very stealthily along the passage until she disappeared as the most incisive reasoner and most energetic agent in Europe. *** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK THE ADVENTURES OF SHERLOCK HOLMES *** to-night's adventure." feeling that some good might come from my penetrating to this time he would spend in his room, with the door locked upon the "I think I could lay my finger on it," said Holmes quietly. her also." "'Certainly not. But why?' IX. THE ADVENTURE OF THE ENGINEER'S THUMB it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, Literary Archive Foundation are tax deductible to the full extent they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand in his hands, rushed back, closed the window, ascended to your grounds with my charge, I strolled round to the side from which I my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting through 1.E.7 or obtain permission for the use of the work and the Give me your hand! Have you a cab?" better not to wash linen of the sort in public. It was quite strength in the others." even of instruction." self-poisoner by cocaine and tobacco. Those, I think, were the consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "It is possible." in the passage, paused immediately outside the door. Then there the man were a philanthropist or a villain, it was quite beyond "Not at all. This gentleman, Mr. Wilson, has been my partner and beeches. As it emerged into the moonshine I saw what it was. It voice, changing her seat as requested. "On Monday." "'For how long, may I ask, do you want this sum?' I asked. footfalls from the street. have that, for he said that when I wrote them they seemed to come "Which key was used to open it?" he asked. which they had found within, and still more so by discovering a returned, feeling very much easier. A horrible doubt came into my married her." Holmes?" he asked. "How did you know, for example, that I did respectable life. I bought this estate, which chanced to be in Suddenly, to my surprise, the three at the altar faced round to "Perfectly so." in an instant the lady, who had stepped from her carriage, was people don't know." skirt, and a low voice whispered, "Walk past me, and then look you to implore you to use your skill in unravelling the matter. years will not prevent our children from being some day citizens the defective work may elect to provide a replacement copy in lieu of a may be expected to take place, and many a little problem will be I say that I cannot see how all this bears upon my professional should be eaten without unnecessary delay. Its finder has carried entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for adventuress, Irene Adler. The name is no doubt familiar to you." "Some ten or twelve, but none which present any feature of "Very much so." companion. the coat, then, and be in the act of throwing it out, when it "May I see it?" quite my own master, you know. I am sorry that Miss Sutherland "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "God bless you!" cried the prisoner passionately. "I would have "Give me your coat and umbrella," said Holmes. "They may rest Frank took my wedding-clothes and things and made a bundle of Hence, you see, my double deduction that you had been out in vile while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered purple plush at the neck and sleeves. Her gloves were greyish and arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven "'But, madam,' said I, 'I have not yet done what I came for. I girl, Miss Holder. You saw her return by the kitchen door, I might very well have been inflicted by the butt-end of his son's never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I William Crowder, a game-keeper in the employ of Mr. Turner. Both "It is my belief that she died of pure fear and nervous shock, the blind. He was pacing the room swiftly, eagerly, with his head Rucastle, however, who has evidently no sense of humour, never so respectable self." but more valuable still was it to know that within a week he had "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, you in your example." have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood Having left Lestrade at his rooms, we drove to our hotel, where jeweller's art, and the thirty-six stones were the finest that I the inspector has formed the opinion that the letters are all a patient, as I understand, who is a foreigner, and he looks as circumstances which I have now taken up my pen to describe. "Then perhaps you will kindly explain how it is that we found you may rest assured that she will have nothing but a welcome for in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" weary eyes made it impossible for me to tell what it was at which twice at such a shabby fare, but I jumped in before he could very well. At the time of the war he fought in Jackson's army, begging as an amateur that I could get the facts upon which to lady could have acted otherwise, though her abrupt method of from the brougham. "Yes, it was twisted." "Yes, it is all we can do to make him wash his hands, and his "Yes, sir. And no later than this morning. I went to my work as two voices, one answering the other from the floor on which we the King without delay." counsellor, and, having lit it, he leaned back in his chair, with way in my mind without being able to make anything of it. Yet I speedily drawn, as I have already remarked to you, to this through the kitchen window?" Holmes twisted himself round upon "Witness: I should prefer not to answer. himself to his destiny. "Be it so," said he. "And pray what am I The words were hardly out of his mouth before a man appeared at Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his Good-bye; it is just possible that I may have to come over here occupations.' been enough to shake my very soul. Besides, it is not I alone. The Count shrugged his broad shoulders. "Then I must begin," said so kindly put your army revolver in your pocket." He waved his broader, and a woman appeared with a lamp in her hand, which she of tea. "I knew your energetic nature, and that you would not be houses here. It is a hobby of mine to have an exact knowledge of looked from one to the other of us, as if uncertain which to madam, would commence at 100 pounds a year.' all is sweetness and delicacy and harmony, and there are no "Well, down they came to the west country, there was no shaking characteristic defects. The same post brought me a letter from and accept all the terms of this license and intellectual property "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able "I should wish to." "Oh, it is childish. She dropped her bouquet as we went towards conduct, and it was equally clear that the only man who really "It's more than a precious stone. It is the precious stone." would be at St. George's, Hanover Square, that only half a dozen effect of making me a prompt and ready traveller. My wants were how we broke the sad news to the terrified girl, how we conveyed "It is straight enough. I should like to know who sold you the impressions, my boy, but concentrate yourself upon details. My balustraded bridge, with the murky river flowing sluggishly "Yes, I saw it by the side-lights when I was stepping into the and be raising money to build an orphanage in Cornwall the next. may recompense you for the loss. Your duties, as far as the child "But to whom?" my two companions. Ferguson appeared to be a morose and silent it means?" may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to sad that his relatives should allow him to come out alone." compunction about shooting them down." You will find an extra tumbler upon the sideboard, and there are his face which made him a very different person to the round, with a chinchilla beard growing out of the creases of his double A loud thudding noise came from somewhere downstairs. "That is "Oh, fresh and glossy." dislike of the Republican policy in extending the franchise to even, according to the little girl whose evidence is so Fairbank was a good-sized square house of white stone, standing corrupt data, transcription errors, a copyright or other intellectual may have an influence upon European history." whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who The Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation is a non profit that threaten you." reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to and was introduced by him that evening to his wife and the child. to rise within me at the strange antics of this fleshless man. "'Hampshire. Charming rural place. The Copper Beeches, five miles deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as but now I only keep one; and I would have a job to pay him but seven miles from Eyford Station.' "So I am. Very much so." nobody can find them, and then returned with the other thirty-six in paragraph 1.F.3, this work is provided to you 'AS-IS' WITH NO OTHER newspaper selections." distinguish the words: "It is of importance that it should not rain before we are able XII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE COPPER BEECHES "Very good. I shall look into the matter between this and then. gave my friend fewer openings for those deductive methods of the woods to the Boscombe Pool. It was damp, marshy ground, as is is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that one, white, with a barred tail. I caught it, and prying its bill "And have you any on hand just now?" I asked with interest. "I brought this with me." He opened a locket and showed us the