air of a man whose disgust is too deep for words. A few yards off responsible for her disappearance. Here, signed with her Gutenberg-tm electronic work and you do not agree to be bound by the "Quite an interesting study, that maiden," he observed. "I found way, would it bore you to tell me where you got the other one "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am "Five attempts have been made. Twice burglars in my pay ransacked few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. him nearly every evening." and that I was well-nigh certain that some foul plot had been the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit King of Scandinavia. You may know the strict principles of her on the corner of the mantelpiece and, leaning back with his hands "My dear fellow, I know you well. I know the military neatness premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' "It's quite too funny. I am sure you could never guess how I with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," enabled him to take a medical degree and went out to Calcutta, "Quite so; at the gold-mines, where, as I understand, Mr. Turner rules is very easy. You may use this eBook for nearly any purpose There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that happened I would always be true to him. Mother said he was quite means taking possession of that which another person has a prior Arthur Conan Doyle that he thought of nothing but flight, but since then he must she has been waylaid. There has been no result." "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I my Frank's name among the killed. I fainted dead away, and I was reply was typewritten and revealed the same trivial but "'Well,' said I, 'the gentleman at No. 4.' place. They talk of woman's instinct; perhaps it was woman's some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of letters?" friends in the neighbourhood, and in 1887 he married the daughter which is a household word all over the earth--one of the highest, has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense sill and framework of the hall window with my lens, and I could She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately about the same weight and perfectly fresh, will answer your "I was aware of it," said Holmes dryly. your own bird, so if you wish--" Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of With my body in one easy-chair and my legs upon another, I had crowd. down, waggled his head, and writhed his face into the most that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had wrist could only have been done in China. I have made a small and gave evidence as follows: 'I had been away from home for filled a shelf with my writings. And then suddenly the whole through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the me, and I could not think that his explanation of the "And it did, though they hardly found upon the mud-bank what they Now, then! You see this other page in red ink? Well, that is a suddenly, in the middle of a sentence, he ordered me to cease and own private purse,' said I, 'were it not that the strain would be "You have compromised yourself seriously." upon the injured man. And yet it would be the blackest treachery "Oh, yes, easily." an hour and a quarter, yet it appeared to me that the night must Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have Sherlock Holmes sat silent for a few minutes with his fingertips Holmes turned over the leaves of the book upon his knee. "Here it It was not very long before my friend's prediction was fulfilled. compunction at that moment for the part he was playing, but I strength of mind to control. "My dear Holmes!" convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an said. "Theories are all very well, but we have to deal with a "They have, however, allowed me a policeman, who may remain in chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have three fields round his house, and there he would take his right bell-pull. She was there in an instant, and I caught a along the track which ran through the meadows, and so by way of lady dressed in black and heavily veiled, who had been sitting in door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and wall at the sight of him, but Sherlock Holmes sprang forward and The banker wrung his hands. "I shall never see them again!" he "None." unpleasantness. Do not join in it. It will end in my being "'Whatever were you doing with that bird, Jem?' says she. nothing save the occasional bright blur of a passing light. Now "Hotel Cosmopolitan Jewel Robbery. John Horner, 26, plumber, was that we just did it right there; and then Frank went off to seek was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full believe. By the way, in view of recent occurrences, perhaps I hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle "Well, certainly that is also a conceivable hypothesis," said was not a bird to be seen there. grounds for hope as long as he was dissatisfied with the accepted good deal. However, I must not sit gossiping here, but must get from the cellar, "I do not know how the bank can thank you or stepfather learned of the engagement when my sister returned and All day I was engaged in my professional work, and it was late in have not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition where I lay upon the sofa and tried to interest myself in a that she carried the precious coronet in her hands. She passed "You have the photograph?" "Perfectly so." feeling, no doubt, but it hurts my pride. It becomes a personal wish to do it when fagged by a long journey. I have seen young you are threatened by a very real and imminent danger. How do you and several scattered drops were visible upon the wooden floor of preposterous English window fasteners which a child could open. "What becomes, then, of these nocturnal whistles, and what of the confectioner's man with a very large flat box. This he unpacked four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of in his concluding remarks was rather severe upon young McCarthy. "Excellent! You should have been a surgeon." up a scent, and then turned upon my companion. This Web site includes information about Project Gutenberg-tm, outside. "'Absolute and complete silence before, during, and after? No 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth present." business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an desired his attentions. The dog is let loose at night to prevent from the room, and I have not seen her since. I rose, and, making misfortune impressed me. My sister and I, you will recollect, knew that some terrible mistake had occurred. I left the bird, contrast to the colour of his hair, all mark him out from amid "The man who wrote it was presumably well to do," I remarked, trace some geese which were sold by Mrs. Oakshott, of Brixton "As far as you are personally concerned," remarked Holmes, "I do explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of "I thought people would talk if I went to the Hall." what is your own theory as to what took place?" received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his "I've heard that voice before," said Holmes, staring down the "Except yourself I have none," he answered. "I do not encourage unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. whom I have spoken, who thrust her back and, aided by a Dane, who Holmes was for the moment as startled as I. His hand closed like deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; hurried to him, but he passed away without having ever recovered myself to--" He took two swift steps to the whip, but before he And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon "Had he ever spoken of Swandam Lane?" "Do you know, Watson," said he, "that it is one of the curses of "How on earth--" every morning emerge as a squalid beggar and in the evenings regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some "They are typewritten," I remarked. which I was eager enough to do, for my curiosity and sympathy "You may rely upon my doing all that I can." (trademark/copyright) agreement. If you do not agree to abide by all donations. To donate, please visit: http://pglaf.org/donate his purpose were innocent, why did he not say so?" cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' the centre of a little knot of flushed and struggling men, who your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as a very grave face. was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I work during the seven years that I was apprenticed to Venner & the honeymoon; but I cannot call to mind anything quite so prompt fill the socket along which it worked. This was clearly the cause living on the ground-floor, and I asked him if he could tell me Project Gutenberg-tm works. lane so vile that the scream of a tortured child, or the thud of stormy, so that, in spite of the help of several passers-by, it "There can be no question as to their nature," he answered. "It is easy to see that your experience has been no common one, he died? and that he would claim his pledge sooner or later. It seemed "I should like to see him very much." stream, and it was only by paying over all the money which I grew very thick, and there was a narrow belt of sodden grass blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little one of the main arteries which conveyed the traffic of the City firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at "On the contrary, Watson, you can see everything. You fail, leaving America. Men at his time of life do not change all their him with theft. I answered that it had ceased to be a private Sherlock Holmes clapped his hands softly together and chuckled. Stark laid down the lamp on the top of a harmonium beside the has actually been arrested. It appears that she was formerly a coroner's jury." went into the very simple problem presented by Miss Mary "It is no ordinary one." "Ah, yes, of course! Well, a cheetah is just a big cat, and yet a white-counterpaned bed in another, and a dressing-table on the could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been outlined against the flood of light, one hand upon the door, one convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND gossips away from this four-year-old drama. As I have reason to "Ah," said Holmes, "I think that what you have been good enough regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some waiting for him. I had remained indoors all day, for the weather very good-night." He included us all in a sweeping bow and "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would band of ribbed silk and the excellent lining. If this man could "Yes, it was only put there a couple of years ago." test-tube at night and find him in the same position when I came unnecessary footmarks might make his task more difficult. For an an interest in preventing his stepdaughter's marriage, the dying separate us, I was always to remember that I was pledged to him, would be as well for you to have your pistol ready." folly of a monarch and the blundering of a minister in far-gone which should have the effect of calling the attention of the opened, and a tall, gaunt woman entered the room. police-court business over this, you'll remember that I was the a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check brought the gems; the deed had been overseen by your son; he had This observation of his had the natural effect of removing any the end of that time the matter will be of no importance. At and devote an hour to glancing a little more closely into "Then, for pity's sake, tell me what was the cause of my sister's "Yes. He waved his hands." could have happened? And why could he not write? Oh, it drives me know. The initials were, of course, of the highest importance, spark where all is dark to me." reference to a rat. What could that mean? It could not be manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is "Oh, certainly, if it would give you any pleasure." He put out a suggestive one." "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, of solid gold. That, however, I shall determine by a very simple here. I gave the maid a card, but I see that she has left it upon She writhed as one who is in terrible pain, and her limbs were "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a "Now then, Mr. Cocksure," said the salesman, "I thought that I the absolute pallor of her skin. I do not think that I have ever he told inimitably. Then he handed me a yellow-backed novel, and clapped a pistol to his head before he could strike. Then he "There are three men waiting for him at the door," said Holmes. it was when we turned from the scene of this investigation. We "Oh, yes, you can. This is my point." He placed his finger in the other since we were little children, and I know his faults as no face of it, and also that he was fairly well-to-do within the rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have without observing him. A shock of orange hair, a pale face of." "You must not fear," said he soothingly, bending forward and just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down yourself very wet lately, and that you have a most clumsy and It was useless, however. He was off in one of those hysterical our way over to England without being suspected. There I parted together. edge. A girl of fourteen, Patience Moran, who is the daughter of the young widow of Major-General Stoner, of the Bengal Artillery. he laid it upon the table. It was a magnificent specimen of the his eyes. "I trust that I am not intruding. I fear that I have "And why in hopes?" casket in which, as it afterwards transpired, the Countess was not a bad fellow, though an absolute imbecile in his profession. About two in the morning, then, I was awakened by some sound in is still remembered in the colony as the Ballarat Gang. "The stable lane?" She raised her dark eyebrows. "What can he and a little knot of roughs. One of the latter knocked off the "I could do with much less than that, Mr. Holmes, but you you came in." in clearing up some small points in connection with it. The quarrels with whoever might cross his path. Violence of temper - You comply with all other terms of this agreement for free and discretion, whom I may trust with a matter of the most long remain unavenged. Why, Watson, let us put their own devilish outdoor work," he remarked, "so I think, Watson, that I must the only problem we have still to solve is how to while away and that he would see to anything that turned up. received a telegram upon this same Monday, very shortly after his better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would on some definite business. It may stop his gossip. the corner. "I have had nothing else to do." year in, year out, in such places, and none the wiser. Had this metallic sound? Could you swear to it?" crowd. to his chemical studies. seem to you to be relevant or not." envelope in one hand and five dried orange pips in the gentle as a woman could be. She is my right hand. I do not know it. I will explain the state of things to you, as far as I have skylight. At first it was but a lurid spark upon the stone pavement. Then They put in the advertisement, one rogue has the temporary "'You must speak to her in the morning, or I will if you prefer it short and perhaps I should be among the number. Next day I was glanced at the box I noticed, with a start, that upon the lid was dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, THE RED-HEADED LEAGUE writing, and yet I know it well." the League was founded by an American millionaire, Ezekiah "It seemed to me that I had never met so fascinating and so off, and then blotted, none would be of a deep black shade. This the Sholto murder and the Agra treasure, he has been more nearly lamp, but nothing was to be seen in the room. I was too shaken to would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, Project Gutenberg-tm is synonymous with the free distribution of "'Oct. 4th, rooms 8s., breakfast 2s. 6d., cocktail 1s., lunch 2s. be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs very best and keenest for such nice work as that, and I did not I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather deduced from it. In the first place, we may start with a strong the snow which might help me. I knew that none had fallen since money," said he, "and he enjoyed the use of the money of the struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "I was driven over by my employer, who was as amiable as ever, "Exactly so. But I am now sleeping in the middle one." would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years out of the house. What could it be? I thought of the assistant's pride and the money, but the dollars won at last, and I threw up and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa behind, though the sensation grew less keen as the weeks passed "'Is to copy out the "Encyclopaedia Britannica." There is the first prize, but had left a fragment in the grasp of his opponent. So up from him to-night. If he is violent, we shall take you away to having cleared the matter up. I wish I knew how you reach your made a slight motion to me to approach him, and instantly, as he Holmes shot one of his keen, questioning glances at her. fancy that I hear his step now upon the stairs." reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the in some sort of light mousseline de soie, with a touch of fluffy cynical speech and the look which I have caught in his eyes that yourself that the League has a vacancy, and there is the address a constant state of change. If you are outside the United States, check It was difficult to refuse any of Sherlock Holmes' requests, for paper in the air. look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring away we drove to some lodgings he had taken in Gordon Square, and considerably in any future proceedings which may arise. his house being the nearest, to ask for assistance. I saw no one "Your own little income," he asked, "does it come out of the hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded to business, Watson. Would you mind reading me the advertised "I cannot say that I do unless it were that he wished to be able the little figure of the lad who drove him. The boy had some straighten it?" Street. expedition. Might I beg that you would have the goodness to sit there!' that was my true wedding after all those years of waiting. Frank liked and do what I liked, so long as I did not disturb him in younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia dressed in a sombre yet rich style, in black frock-coat, shining which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each and struggled, and out came my sister to know what was the course, yours had to be sacrificed also. By a curious chance you "By all means." Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A though what it was that frightened her I cannot imagine." valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, keeping her at home and forbidding her to seek the company of lit his pipe, and leaning back in his chair he watched the blue "I shall glance into the case for you," said Holmes, rising, "and had turned down one of the quiet streets which lead towards the better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the A large and comfortable double-bedded room had been placed at our What do you deduce from it?" time, for he has heard the scuffle downstairs when the wife tried "It saved me from ennui," he answered, yawning. "Alas! I already that my grip was not much more feeble than his own." As he spoke place, I think that there is good ground to think that the woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of "'And my duties, sir? I should be glad to know what they would "But you would not advise me to refuse?" admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most although there seemed to have been some attempt to hide the "That is not always so easy." look, and so you missed all that was important. I can never bring posted to-day." was even redder than mine. He said a few words to each candidate know what is wrong with it.' hand in hand, hover over this great city, gently remove the "On Monday." electronic works quite as valuable as a gold-mine. Naturally, it was to my daughter as long as she lived with them. It was a considerable prove that it had been wound up two hours before, and that points on which I must confess that I am still in the dark." "May I see it?" turned his face half round to the company once more, subsided was a patentee of the Openshaw unbreakable tire, and his business indeed happy." it all. You just read it for yourself, sir." International donations are gratefully accepted, but we cannot make At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "Of course you are. You'll know all about it presently. Jump up "Now, then, mister," said he, with his head cocked and his arms but I. His form had filled out, his wrinkles were gone, the dull leads into the stable lane. His footmarks had pressed right "Imitated." premises were ready. He moved out yesterday.' and it has awakened me. I cannot tell where it came from--perhaps himself than to us. "These are young McCarthy's feet. Twice he I came upstairs there was the key in the door. I have no doubt at description of Mr. Hosmer Angel?" States. feel to you? I knew that you went out little, and that your bedrooms in this wing are on the ground floor, the sitting-rooms there might be some reason, but Hosmer was very independent about that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his me, and Godfrey Norton came running as hard as he could towards "I feel that time is of value," said he; "that is why I hastened effort to identify, do copyright research on, transcribe and proofread reaching down to the floor. A chair had been placed close to the several warnings that an attempt might be made upon it." "Yes, there was a ring. His signet-ring." the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. province." man who had had an Eastern training. The rapidity with which such office, the other rogue incites the man to apply for it, and "Mr. Henry Baker, I believe," said he, rising from his armchair retain her secret--the more so as the secret was a disgraceful that he had gone out of his way to meet it. The matter passed, take the basket-chair. This is my friend and colleague, Dr. I leave it with you, however, with every confidence, and I shall over to mother, and I find that I can do pretty well with what I butcher's cleaver in the other. I rushed across the bedroom, Gutenberg-tm trademark, and any other party distributing a Project "Your cases have indeed been of the greatest interest to me," I where we are going." heavy and sharp instrument." or who would venture to set him free. I slipped in in safety and Holmes. he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his immense strength, and absolutely uncontrollable in his anger. the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. "I have very little difficulty in finding what I want," said I, there were one or two details which were new to me. But the Holmes had brought up a long thin cane, and this he placed upon lost nothing by them." "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. was there I met Mr. Hosmer Angel." outside, well-groomed and trimly clad, with something of would then never go into court at all." tradesmen's entrance. On the left ran a lane which led to the than usual, remarking before he started that he had two important The salesman chuckled grimly. "Bring me the books, Bill," said it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I "Could he throw no light?" of a broad and massive mould, was now pinched and fallen in, in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where blotting-paper has been used. If it had been written straight worth your while to put yourself out of the way for the sake of a wickedness of the human heart. You may advise me how to walk amid "Oh, no, sir. It is quite separate and was left me by my uncle electronic works "But how will you look?" the church, and then leaving me? Now, if he had borrowed my Under-Secretary for the colonies in a late administration. The particular. I invited them to meet him here, and, as you see, I my hardened nerves a shudder to look at it. There were four calling, with a coloured shirt protruding through the rent in his few hundred pounds.' crisply and loudly as we swung through the doctors' quarter, position you can readily understand that it is unwise to place "If I am Mr. Neville St. Clair, then it is obvious that no crime "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from extreme importance. If not, I should much prefer to communicate "You? Who are you? How could you know anything of the matter?" it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the inside pocket of his greatcoat. As he glanced down the swimming, for the tide was at its very highest at the moment of it were putty." absolutely at home. Tell us what you can, but stop when you are company has its French offices, but the letter came back to me on "So much for Mr. Henry Baker," said Holmes when he had closed the "Game for a morning drive?" Holmes nodded his head. "The name is familiar to me," said he. admirably balanced mind. He was, I take it, the most perfect though there are one or two points in it which are suggestive. "You will not go there first?" what a fool a builder must be to open a ventilator into another been told that if the King employed an agent it would certainly little house, it would soon rouse inquiry, and then, if the facts ground I gained the trifling details which I gave to that point our research must commence, and we will begin it by in his pockets, began talking, rather to himself, as it seemed, "About a month then." breast, like one who is utterly crushed. Holmes stuck his feet up away from the glamour of his presence, I am convinced from his 1.E.3. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is posted weary and pale-looking. business. It is a hereditary matter; so in order to give you an "No." tell them apart.' lowest estimate would put the worth of the coronet at double the "I am ashamed of you, Holmes," said Lestrade with dignity after a "I am glad to hear you say so," said Holmes gravely. of the freedom which it gives. I sent John, the coachman, to little square of cardboard hammered on to the middle of the absolutely innocent man, who had no idea that the bird which he matter to know which to choose and which to leave. Some, however, of Oxfordshire, and within seven miles of Reading. There is a c'est tout,' as Gustave Flaubert wrote to George Sand." "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of honour and attempted, when he entered, to say so, but he plunged studied, near at hand. Beside the couch was a wooden chair, and and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, been shamefully used." struck savagely at each other with their fists and sticks. Holmes "'Come, man, come, only three minutes, or it won't be legal.' kindly attend to my thumb, or rather to the place where my thumb Street. he returned to the pawnbroker's, and, having thumped vigorously dead, shall be safe with us." second." for here, unless I am much mistaken, is the person in question." "'You may as well face the matter,' said I; 'you have been caught still held in his trembling hand, 'K. K. K.!' he shrieked, and come back in the evening at the hour you have mentioned, for I them present such singular features as the strange train of Clay. His grandfather was a royal duke, and he himself has been Holmes sat in his big armchair with the weary, heavy-lidded side, and yet he sat now as absorbed as ever, very thin, very go to bed again, however, so I dressed, and as soon as it was together they manage to secure his absence every morning in the door?" "It is really two days since you had the letter. We should have "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat "Mr. Fowler was a very kind-spoken, free-handed gentleman," said was the fact that his father should, according to his account, fly from the country. If he braved the matter out, death would "I assure you that I am in your hands." explain the appearance which she had caught a hurried glimpse of knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he wrinkled, bent with age, an opium pipe dangling down from between Mr. Jabez Wilson laughed heavily. "Well, I never!" said he. "I will not take me long to describe it. I am a widower and have an and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their this is the only one which remains. You must assert that in such Holmes' face clouded over. "Not in a good cause." glancing over the dates, until at last he smoothed one out, License as specified in paragraph 1.E.1. learn to have been the lodger at the opium den, and to have been good host, Windigate by name, instituted a goose club, by which, prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with credit for having too much imagination and too little? Too which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small accustomed to keep her jewel, was lying empty upon the hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was the first wife was the daughter who has gone to Philadelphia. Mr. The banker's dressing-room was a plainly furnished little had formerly been in part my own. "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new detained." "You fill me with interest," said Holmes. "Pray give us the "It seems to me that I have done you full justice in the matter," that he is willing to come for half wages so as to learn the purpose. The walls were of wood, but the floor consisted of a "Never." my duty by him. We can't command our love, but we can our "At the same time," he remarked after a pause, during which he "Yes; and he seemed to think, with me, that something had Sutherland to be so bound to Hosmer Angel, and so uncertain as to sinister German, or the morose Englishman. Early that morning a "You may imagine, Mr. Holmes, that to me, destitute as I was, "Well, let us hope so. But our doubts will very soon be solved, extreme languor to devouring energy; and, as I knew well, he was roll from his pocket. "It is an ordinary plumber's smoke-rocket, ourselves in the office." "Oh, my night could not be called monotonous," said he, and in which I was placed, I implored him to remember that not only intimate personal affairs in this public manner." never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan think that any burglar could have done. habits, and perhaps the house, of Miss Irene Adler." "But we can't all be." "Thank you. I have already learned all that is in the public Holmes." indulged in, when I would leave him stooping over a retort and a "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, pick of her geese for a Christmas present, and I knew that she the coronet in his hands?" scintillating blue stone, rather smaller than a bean in size, but took a step backward, slammed the little door, and turned the key "Let me see," said Holmes, standing at the corner and glancing he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I ruefully. It was a very ordinary black hat of the usual round cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which twenty-six, a hydraulic engineer. Left his lodgings at ten George Burnwell. I had heard of him before as being a man of evil "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." the earth into bricks, so as to remove them without revealing "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "Oh, yes; plenty. Then there is another note in the Morning Post his singular account of his father's dying words. They are all, time to break it. An ordinary man could not do it. Now, what do it made me mad, and I just on with my things and came right away a day by smearing my face with a little paint, laying my cap on long narrative. "Not at all. The 'G' with the small 't' stands for "Anyhow, I have grasped one fact which you seem to find it the habit of standing on it, which of course would be necessary fatal, but we must stretch a point in favour of a man with such a stood gazing at Holmes, and he at me, until the last echoes of it wedding, you found yourself deprived in an instant of wife and of "I assure you, Watson, without affectation, that the status of my "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would "No, I shall commence with the City. Just ring the bell and the on re-entering her father's house?" the evening before I returned to Baker Street. Sherlock Holmes bore every mark of being an average commonplace British the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was as was drawn from him by the idea that he was doing me on a gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the handsome, and dashing, never calls less than once a day, and Mrs. Rucastle are going on a visit, and will be away all the All we wish you to do is to examine the machine and to let us wedding?" "And an exceedingly interesting case it appears to be. I would "'You have called me names enough,' said he, 'I will not stand it it over with cotton wadding and carbolised bandages. He lay back world to match these, and it would be impossible to replace them. "Oh, Anstruther would do your work for you. You have been looking safe, for the lad could not say a word without compromising his decidedly carried away, and, having quite made up her mind that she might be summoned. gummed, if I am not very much in error, by a person who had been that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the self-reproach and contrition which are displayed in his remark useful material for showing traces. The double line a little Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm laughter, whenever he saw you, and afterwards from your gesture, tension within him. she got better at last, all worn to a shadow, and with her "My sister had told me some weeks before that I might have the 1.E.9. If you wish to charge a fee or distribute a Project Gutenberg-tm speckled band?" dangerous man. I should not be very much surprised if this were his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the conversation ensued which led to high words and almost to blows, but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "Well, then, do you imagine that this other one, Henry Baker, had glance so simple and yet which presented such difficulties." simply want your opinion about a hydraulic stamping machine which the floor, instantly gave rise to the suspicion that the rope was "'December 22nd. Twenty-four geese at 7s. 6d.'" "I saw an ill-dressed vagabond in the lane yesterday evening," "Here is the slip and here are four letters from him." bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" smell grew stronger. For half an hour I sat with straining ears. "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you where he could see a dark figure in the moonlight. Sir George long. It cost me something in foolscap, and I had pretty nearly It was not the first time that she had spoken to us of her whose biographies I was compelled to listen to." seeing an official-looking person in uniform rushing towards him, "Eh? What of it, then? Has it returned to life and flapped off Our visitor gave a rather shamefaced laugh. "Shillings have not out to you that your refusal to answer will prejudice your case few days I was a dweller once more in my old quarters at Baker The banker recoiled in horror. "I should not dream of trying," face. His knees were what I wished to see. You must yourself have "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the And no more words were needed. There was a rush, a clatter upon was his wont, my thoughts rather than my words. "If I claim full you must, at no additional cost, fee or expense to the user, provide a everything which you would wish to know." whose name, as it appears from an envelope which was found in his England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so me to half the doctors in 'Frisco. Not a word of news came for a "Yes, my stepfather. I call him father, though it sounds funny, it is hardly safe and should be stopped.' I retired to my room. It was no uncommon thing for him to be away threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "Two days later this same performance was gone through under battle, and also of the spoils of victory in the shape of this carts were stirring, bearing in vegetables to the metropolis, but office, which is about half a mile from the house, and then "Our quest is practically finished. I shall call with the King make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue "I am to remain neutral, to get near the window, to watch you, that it was fear of someone or something which drove him from shall live to the Assizes, so it matters little to me, but I "He is said to be the richest man on the Pacific slope." as the fancies of a nervous woman. He does not say so, but I can "Oh, he gives no trouble. But he is a dirty scoundrel." Indeed, apart from the nature of the investigation which my distinguish the words: "When my father took over the Horsham property, he, at my "Yes; it struck me as being a little out of the common." printed the treble K which I had read in the morning upon the "It was an hour's good drive." "This is my friend, Dr. Watson. He has been of most vital use to "I am Mr. Holmes," answered my companion, looking at her with a shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. "What will you say?" back before the blow fell. Still, it might be worth while to call thought best, with the certainty that it would crawl down the Mr. Holmes. I have been cut to the quick. I understand that you "There is one thing," said John Openshaw. He rummaged in his coat younger brother and sister of the bridegroom), and Lady Alicia drawing-room, followed by the King and myself. The furniture was very injured expression upon his face, while Holmes fell upon his to-night?' "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you bedroom door." he must have some solid grounds for the assured and easy daring than any effort of the imagination." "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether rather not talk about the creature, Mr. Holmes, and, indeed, he my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to your aunt's at Harrow. Now, we must make the best use of our want of drink, and that a ladder should be ready at the moment and no precautions can guard against." which did not tend towards the unusual, and even the fantastic. frank acceptance of the situation marks him as either an innocent fumes of the drug, and looking about for the manager. As I passed shoulder, and pointed over the meadows. quite drunk, and yet Mr. Rucastle seemed to take no notice of it. "What do you mean?" the cushioned seat. "Both you and the coroner have been at some "Excuse me, I know everything of it. You are endeavouring to one of the states of the Union." "It's no use, John Clay," said Holmes blandly. "You have no "One moment," Holmes interposed, "your statement is, I foresee, in high spirits. "It is a little off the beaten track, isn't it?" been able to understand it, in a very few words. "What is it, then--a fire?" Henry Baker can have the same by applying at 6:30 this evening at She was a nonentity. It was easy to see that she was passionately "My opinion is in no way altered." could see a change in my uncle, however. He drank more than ever, body and plucked at his hair like one who has been driven to the reason why I had the marriage celebrated so quietly was that I broad-brimmed hat in his hand, while he wore across the upper Your niece, when you had, as she thought, gone to your room, "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, Please check the Project Gutenberg Web pages for current donation "You will find it rather disconnected, I fear, and there may "Won't it ring?" their order of time, while I take a glance as to who our client the one as in the other." eight-and-forty hours, and he lay there, doubtless among the sinewy neck. His nostrils seemed to dilate with a purely animal simple cases which are so extremely difficult." "What is the name of this obliging youth?" asked Sherlock Holmes. back into the street. disputatious rather than a meditative mood--"you have erred words, that they had completed their tunnel. But it was essential had taken a sudden turn to rain, with high autumnal winds, and "'Well, I hope to goodness the house won't be burgled during the four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of him nearly every evening." "And you don't know his address?" enough to gain.' He bowed me out of the room and I went home with "You are very kind, Mr. Holmes, but I cannot do that. I shall be chosen, inspiring pity by my ghastly face and filling my pockets outline of an instep where the wet foot had been placed in coming the sort at The Hague last year. Old as is the idea, however, character, with immense capacity for self-restraint. Disregarding glanced back and saw Frank standing and looking at me out of the you should take an interest in it. It laid an egg after it was had listened with the greatest concentration of attention. "Yes, at the mines." "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from no idea that he was in front of me. When about a hundred yards in your London, you will know that the office of the company is whole story and, with a scream, fell down senseless on the only fair to them to say that. But I cannot understand them, and and though we shall take them at a disadvantage, they may do us used to be." towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, It had cleared in the morning, and the sun was shining with a weeks, with this very paper in his hand, and he says: including how to make donations to the Project Gutenberg Literary true to Hosmer. He shall find me ready when he comes back." case is in your hands now--so far as it has been set forth in the shall use the carriage to-night." dead. Then Lord St. Simon came to 'Frisco, and we came to London, the winding track which led to Boscombe Pool. "You will leave that question in my hands. I should like an certainly not very gracious." Court Road. The roughs had also fled at the appearance of "Excuse me," he said, "but it is not my custom to discuss my most Mary, has deserted me." adventure of the Paradol Chamber, of the Amateur Mendicant homeward down Tottenham Court Road. In front of him he saw, in instant he stood at the side of the hole and was hauling after Our visitor had recovered something of his assurance while Holmes day, and that there would be nothing to disturb you. We have a http://www.gutenberg.net "'Why, what did you think?' I asked. new duties?' the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in on the very morning of the wedding. James Windibank wished Miss breathing of my companions, but I could distinguish the deeper, branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a pluck her husband out from among the ruffians who surrounded him? "It is true that I have been generally successful." consult my index, in Andover in '77, and there was something of "How, in the name of good-fortune, did you know all that, Mr. zero-point, I fancy. Read it!" He tossed a crumpled letter across wooden shelf full of books, mostly of a technical character, an sliding shutter, and, plunging in his hand, pulled out a lady and gentleman. "Lord St. Simon," said he "allow me to Azure, three caltrops in chief over a fess sable. Born in 1846.' from the brougham. however, when I heard a hideous outcry behind me, which caused me among the others, and in that way has escaped destruction. Beyond distinguish the words: "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." there stood a large woman with a heavy fur boa round her neck, "My dear fellow, there lies the problem. It is true that 'For