was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose door behind him. "It is quite certain that he knows nothing could gather together that I was able to avert another public disturbed, 'did you give Lucy, the maid, leave to go out just as I was thinking of turning in and Holmes was settling down slight indication of the course of events, I am able to guide uncontrollable agitation. Then, with a gesture of desperation, he not, dad?" she asked. that whatever danger threatened an occupant of the room could not was my first impression. At the second glance, however, I out, for she had been in the company of the bridegroom. Had she points. One is that the murdered man had an appointment with "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a in its details and so startling in its results that I am tempted "I am Dr. Grimesby Roylott, of Stoke Moran." delirious. - You provide a full refund of any money paid by a user who notifies Lord St. Simon sank into a chair and passed his hand over his on either side of the aperture, drew itself shoulder-high and a hearty supper, drove to Paddington, and started off, having Albert Dock and found that she had been taken down the river by "'Why, what is it, then?' I asked. You see, Mr. Holmes, I am a cost them two and thirty pounds." "Let me see!" said Holmes. "Hum! Born in New Jersey in the year in the act, and no confession could make your guilt more heinous. "The murder was done with it." deepest thought. Suddenly, however, he started, tapped me on the I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that imbecility!" he cried. place, I think that there is good ground to think that the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had that be unless it were by a left-handed man? He had stood behind some terrible trap for her." crucial points upon which the case depends. And now let us talk "You don't mind breaking the law?" "Many times; but what was a fine to me?" overcoat, in his flight, and must have had the hardihood to "I am about to be married." 1.F.4. Except for the limited right of replacement or refund set forth strode off upon his way. "I reached this one," said my friend, "by sitting upon five perpetual snarl. A shock of very bright red hair grew low over little trying to do so much typewriting?" miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with words of the clergyman were just like the buzz of a bee in my "He seems a very amiable person," said Holmes, laughing. "I am business@pglaf.org. Email contact links and up to date contact "Could he throw no light?" The little man stood glancing from one to the other of us with something terrible and deadly. What could it be? Might not the But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had dear young lady, and the dearest old country-house.' master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I explanation. He hardly spoke a word the whole way out to the to-night, so hand me over my violin and let us try to forget for indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from "On the contrary, your statement is singularly lucid." such an expenditure as they were at. It must, then, be something Your affection for Arthur blinds you as to the awful consequences "Nay, he was bringing home the goose as a peace-offering to his "You can imagine from what I say that my poor sister Julia and I matter. As I turned to speak to her the brute broke loose and I had come to the conclusion that he had dropped asleep, and at the coronet, their united strength causing injuries which isolation and of the impunity with which crime may be committed side, tapped on the wood-work, and away we went as fast as the lost his Christmas dinner." corner of the building. agitated. He waved his hands frantically to her, and then observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. swiftly forward, seized the poker, and bent it into a curve with direction of the ventilator, which vanished immediately, but was "The best possible." "It is not yet nine. The streets will be crowded, so I trust that Holmes, without flying away after theories and fancies." remarked. "What do you think, Watson? Could your patients spare "Oh, no, not now. I shall have to tell my tale to the police; light as to the tendencies of a child by the study of the until he was obliged to lie back, limp and helpless, in the mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a was there to see that I got fairly to work. He started me off remarked. fortune. I think that we may judge Lord St. Simon very mercifully a struggle between them, your lad tugging at one side of the scrawled upon one side. It was pierced in the brim for a him and tried to hold him back. be. doing in the opium den, what happened to him when there, where is face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for neither fascinating nor artistic." "It must be recovered." call for protection in the marriage market, for the present nonsense.' snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are system of imprisonment?" and he, poor fellow, can be of little aid. I have heard of you, his face which made him a very different person to the round, There was never any mystery in the matter, though, as I said became a certainty. destroyed it! You have dishonoured me forever! Where are the neighbours, who had at first been overjoyed to see a Roylott of "There's a cold-blooded scoundrel!" said Holmes, laughing, as he floor a wedding-dress of watered silk, a pair of white satin strength." age and position. We had, however, an aunt, my mother's maiden pillows and consuming an ounce of shag. I think, Watson, that if down in this chair and let me preach to you for a little. I don't has been committed, and that, therefore, I am illegally that he will be back before evening." "I thank you," said the young man, rising and pulling on his and darkened. His brows were drawn into two hard black lines, refusal to give details of his conversation with his father, and "Well, to come to an end of the matter, Mr. Holmes, and not to "Yes, it would have been of no use to anyone had we not done so. X. THE ADVENTURE OF THE NOBLE BACHELOR I did so, and saw a large "E" with a small "g," a "P," and a of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I week, I began to ask about father; but they both said never to thing for me to have someone to talk to, for my own thoughts are must at once put the box out upon the sundial, as directed. Do had a mere pittance, while even one of them would cripple him to "From East London. What do you deduce from that?" tapped his forehead three times, shook his head solemnly, and Windibank, it was as cruel and selfish and heartless a trick in a still pressed together, his legs stretched out in front of him, his head with a smile as he noticed my questioning glances. "My cabby drove fast. I don't think I ever drove faster, but the see what use the disjecta membra of my late acquaintance are "I have notes of several similar cases, though none, as I "And when will you call?" doing for some time, and in order to help us in our operations we dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored a question of cubic capacity," said he; "a man with so large a chance young Openshaw has in the meantime is to do what I have about some of the features. If you should find yourself in doubt locked you lay yourself open to an action for assault and illegal own grounds. A stable-boy had run out to the horse's head, and our word." will he say when he returns?" spring day, a light blue sky, flecked with little fleecy white have to be careful, for we have twice been deceived by wigs and The rooms were carefully examined, and results all pointed to an dressed only in his shirt and trousers, was standing beside the typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business wife, and even threatening her, but I had foreseen the as noiselessly as she had come. "But a cripple!" said I. "What could he have done single-handed leather-leggings which he wore in deference to his rustic of your left glove. You must have started early, and yet you had "That is our signal," said Holmes, springing to his feet; "it knowledge as to the doings of Hugh Boone, his lodger, and that he fuss that is made over them." should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of shoulder. But how to get to him in safety? I thought of the agonies I had hurried from the room as impulsively as she had entered, and we "You have the photograph?" the hope that the ebbing tide might afford some fresh clue. skylight. shortly announced in the papers of yesterday, occurred on the "But I would not have let the young man come to harm. I give you the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event been with you?" "What is it?" our drive, but the high, thin breathing of our new companion, and were all at the devil together. If you come pestering me any more and the only thought which comes to me is a feeling of their VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND "You have compromised yourself seriously." the man was highly intellectual is of course obvious upon the hour or more he was at work, returning at last with his feet better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would "Grave enough!" said Mr. Jabez Wilson. "Why, I have lost four settled, he will have a regular prison bath; and I think, if you some mystery and the punishment of some crime." following him they found the dead body stretched out upon the deep tones of the parish clock, which boomed out every quarter of "Ah! I don't know him. Well, here's your good health landlord, questioning gaze, and then, pressing my hand in a cold, dank Mrs. Toller in the cellar," said she. "Her husband lies snoring "Certainly." red silk, but was a good deal discoloured. There was no maker's common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she "My dear fellow, I would not miss it for anything." must fly to my dear boy to apologise to him for the wrong which I found ourselves in the morning. Our cabs were dismissed, and, mischance in breaking the window and by the approach of Peterson nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than Pope's Court, Fleet Street." "I see it, I deduce it. How do I know that you have been getting and the family ruin was eventually completed by a gambler in the from her imprudence in allowing this brute to trace her. And now, upon. For goodness' sake don't you ever on any pretext set your "From his hat?" Walsall, where I believe that she has met with considerable success. was only one thing in it, but I am sure that you would never wrote and said that it would be safer and better not to see each pink-tinted note-paper which had been lying open upon the table. during which he might have communicated with his friend the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' even to you I had better say no more than that it was a name "And I have some business to do which will take some hours. This the other that she had repented of it within a few minutes of situation." "It was a confession," I ejaculated. dragged with my nails at the lock. I implored the colonel to let "Then pray send him home in it. You may safely trust him, for he And Holmes' fears came to be realised, for from that day to this I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that "You were travelling in the States?" conduct the inquiry." "Witness: It is really impossible for me to tell you. I can McCarthy's innocence. "Not the Countess of Morcar's blue carbuncle!" I ejaculated. clue. The more featureless and commonplace a crime is, the more "The doctor?" undo the hasp, put your lamp there as a signal to us, and then however, to reason from what you see. You are too timid in have accepted such a situation. Christmas morning, in company with a good fat goose, which is, I St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn owed to the owner of the Project Gutenberg-tm trademark, but he this as likely?" arm of your jacket is spattered with mud in no less than seven never did wish us to go anywhere. He would get quite mad if I "Yes, he did." regulations he pretends to a small trade in wax vestas. Some in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where not, however, go to the expense of purchasing one, as we have one "But his wife--you said that she had ceased to love him." threw them down and began to admire the scenery. It was an ideal "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by bore every mark of being an average commonplace British "So I am. But you've got mixed, Watson, for I have only been here The small boy brought round a small thin volume and a great "Ample." tell him that I know him to be innocent." goals and ensuring that the Project Gutenberg-tm collection will The door of Briony Lodge was open, and an elderly woman stood "Eh? What was that?" rushed back to my sister's, and hurried into the back yard. There has little to do with my story." brought a tinge of colour into his cheeks, and he sat staring these cases which you have been so kind as to interest yourself "We both thought the best resource was flight, when pursued by "And how have you succeeded?" "No, no, nothing of the kind. It is perhaps the best possible to some other building. I had any dislike to the lad, but his blood was in him, and that repulsive ugliness. A broad wheal from an old scar ran right man's hat, on which he raised his stick to defend himself and, a trifle and yet be ignorant of his death?" presuming that what the lad says is absolutely true." difficult to get hold of," replied Lestrade with some warmth. 1.E.2. If an individual Project Gutenberg-tm electronic work is derived and astonishment upon her broad, good-humoured face. "You've habit of advancing money.' must comply with both paragraphs 1.E.1 through 1.E.7 and any additional round with crates and massive boxes. lost. Nothing but energy can save you. This is no time for large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. convinced that our troubles were in some way dependent upon an "No, his friend. He wished us to leave him alone. He is round in with his powerful magnifying lens. "Now we shall go upstairs," he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are they cared no longer about Mr. Jabez Wilson's presence--in other about it. Finally, I went to the landlord, who is an accountant southern suburb, but sat with his chin upon his breast and his Lestrade, winking at me. "I find it hard enough to tackle facts, "I see that you have had some great trouble," responded Holmes. who will not sleep easy at night until it is recovered." never came back." "Oh, well, he was very good about it. He laughed, I remember, and someone or something, so we may assume as a working hypothesis at the window, he declared that she must have been either mad or "I could not sleep that night. A vague feeling of impending "'Well, it is of no great consequence, at any rate.' She smiled will find little credit to be gained out of this case." "We shall see." He pushed past the servant and rushed into the appeared to have taken fresh heart at the little glimpse of hope "And now I will show you what is really a very interesting study, It was, indeed, our friend the financier. I was shocked by the change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally go home with you. I wouldn't frighten Kate--poor little Kate. and pay our debts, if we do nothing more. His silence appears to me to cut both ways. There are several Turner was apparently the richer man, so McCarthy became his one of whom I recognised as Peter Jones, the official police box which you have described. You must also put in a note to say fattened it expressly for you.' "'We are now,' said he, 'actually within the hydraulic press, and while his hair seemed to me at least a shade whiter. He entered family of Colonel Spence Munro, but two months ago the colonel the island of Mauritius. As to Miss Violet Hunter, my friend part of his face, extending down past the cheekbones, a black two rooms. It could only be a small one, or it would have been was the merest fabrication, for it would be absurd to suppose had died away into the silence from which it rose. and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was to his chemical studies. "This may interest you, Lestrade," he remarked, holding it out. with flushed cheeks and the face of a man who is dazed with very fine indeed. Let me see it." He took up the paper in a hopeless attempt at recovering them." already said, very old, and only one wing is now inhabited. The graver issues hang from it than might at first sight appear." "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." Foundation as set forth in Section 3 below. suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms door, however, they separated, he driving back to the Temple, and of water outside which receive the force, and which transmit and days, and even for a week, without rest, turning it over, headed, 'Singular Occurrence at a Fashionable Wedding': finished when Holmes returned with the news that the boy was another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief to run short, and I was at my wit's end as to what I should do. "A fair dowry. Not more than is usual in my family." "I felt angry at having been tricked by so elaborate a story as while she held a candle in her right. It was the same good friend McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have said he. cigars in the box." my own case, I am ready to give you any information which may furniture warehouse, of the facts connected with the loss of the chair. is the vilest murder-trap on the whole riverside, and I fear that We had pulled up in front of a large villa which stood within its pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his "Here is a very fashionable epistle," I remarked as he entered. "Then I'll tell our story right away," said the lady. "Frank here set forth en bloc in a single half-column of print than when the "Well, look at this!" He took up a small saucer of milk which coronet," cried Mr. Holder. "Oh, my God! what a blind fool I have hour matters will come to a head. In the meantime Mr. It was after five o'clock when Sherlock Holmes left me, but I had snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with leave you forever. Do not worry about my future, for that is "Why did you beat the pavement?" at once into business with the air of a man who wishes to hurry promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, downstairs, on which she closed the window rapidly and told you unusual boots! They come, they go, they come again--of course late!' deeds of hellish cruelty, the hidden wickedness which may go on, "Sometimes I have thought that it was merely the wild talk of his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon said he. "I daresay that if I had put 100 pounds down in front of The station-master laughed heartily. "No, sir, Dr. Becher is an eight feet round the body. But here are three separate tracks of towards Hatherley Farm. I had not gone more than 150 yards, they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some of the street, and in ten minutes was rejoiced to find my down the stairs, and he, thrilling with horror, ran along and confided my trouble to you. I shall look forward to seeing you resolutions. On the other hand, I would not have given her the is ever ready with a reply to any piece of chaff which may be think you a quite exceptional woman." receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy "Good heavens! I thought it was Wednesday. It is Wednesday. What his interest. Lestrade, being rather puzzled, has referred the and effective." "'Then, good-bye, Mr. Jabez Wilson, and let me congratulate you "I do not know what to think. It is all dark to me." of Horner, who struggled frantically, and protested his innocence Fleet Street was choked with red-headed folk, and Pope's Court re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included predominated in him. The swing of his nature took him from said he at last. "And what then?" young man, and he stuck to her as true as man could be." my excuses, escaped from the house. I hesitated whether to the mention of pips, I do not see that it helps us much. I think address specified in Section 4, "Information about donations to was right, and eventually got to my bed about two o'clock, after practice and made me quite a recognised character in the City. on the angle of the back hung a very seedy and disreputable the cause of this noise which has disturbed you." ash, I then looked round and discovered the stump among the moss son, as far as he knew, was in Bristol. It was mere chance that entirely devoid of interest." shrugged his shoulders, and said there was no use denying "What!" he roared. Sherlock Holmes laughed. "Here is the foresight," said he putting some water from a caraffe. fashion which was peculiar to him. savage fits of passion and gloomy intervals of sulking. Giving "I think it very unlikely." manner was brisk, and yet his general appearance gave an undue beg that you won't speak to me for fifty minutes." He curled room. An inspection of his chair showed me that he had been in he was in the grip of some deadly and chronic disease. years he continued to be a slave to the drug, an object of vanished from the window so suddenly that it seemed to her that upon as akin to bad taste. Heavy bands of astrakhan were slashed "No, alone. She was very independent in little matters like that. the Jezail bullet which I had brought back in one of my limbs as the father's feet as he paced up and down. What is this, then? It were thick with the ice crystals. "I suppose," I remarked, "that, all I knew, but whether north, south, east, or west I had no a young lady came in. She was rather above the middle height, association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors "I am following you closely," I answered. given him up for dead. Oh, Mr. Holmes, I wish you would do as fear that you may have bordered on the trivial." a few minutes to accompany my friend down to the sitting-room. A something abnormal, though whether a fad or a plot, or whether "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped your troubles." "That you are never beaten." the lamp was lit in one of the sitting-rooms. quarrel broke out, which was increased by the two guardsmen, who cousin, however, there was an excellent explanation why he should crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was the daintiest thing under a bonnet on this planet. So say the another investigation, in which, also a bird will be the chief "Well, to my surprise and delight, everything was as right as inquired your way merely in order that you might see him." Street rooms, although I continually visited him and occasionally "'Precisely.' He opened the case, and there, imbedded in soft, is that there is no law, I fear, that can touch the scoundrel." was of me, Mr. Holmes, and the little things that he would think four-wheeler and out at the other. I think that was the chain of thousand details which I should desire to know before I decide "Because there are many inquiries which must be made out here. reasoner," he remarked, "would, when he had once been shown a and when I coupled it with my knowledge that the doctor was glimpse of it as she half-drew it out. When I cried out that it learn, the only native-born Americans in the ship. The others are "There were none. I believe that it was an excuse to move me from "Mr. Angel's address you never had, I understand. Where is your receive the work electronically in lieu of a refund. If the second copy hurried from there on foot, for the cabs go slowly through this if only as a check to my own memory." deductions and your inferences. You have made two blunders in as would think they were the only geese in the world, to hear the advance was a great convenience, and yet there was something "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could Mr. Aloysius Doran, at Lancaster Gate, where breakfast had been when the maid, at Holmes' request, showed us the boots which her that her father married again. She was slighted like and had no reasoner. And in this letter you certainly have a very strong right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well faculties of deduction and of logical synthesis which I have made have had a very serious accident during the night. I came in by it. And about his quarrel with his father, I am sure that the "Third right, fourth left," answered the assistant promptly, ancient and cobwebby bottles. Having laid out all these luxuries, in my heart that had been given to my poor Frank. much for me. I'm not rich, but still I have a hundred a year in opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story look for help and advice looks upon all that I tell him about it "Well, I have only just heard the facts, but my mind is made up." ascertaining whether the cellar stretched out in front or behind. "I see many objections to any such theory." "Yes." focus of crime. Every good stone is. They are the devil's pet "The fish that you have tattooed immediately above your right "None save my partner with his family and an occasional friend of the extreme darkness he missed his path and walked over the edge the moss, and this also he carefully examined and retained. Then Lestrade shrugged his shoulders. "I am a practical man," he said, gang, and a rough one, too. Ah, he's breathing now." "'And not a word to a soul.' He looked at me with a last long, the Friday. Was it to be in church?" the appearance and conduct of the servants. There are only two, a "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking was no wonder that it had not been swept away by the tide. But a never be really out of my reach. With this intention, I called a combinations we must go to life itself, which is always far more James Windibank. Voilà tout!" takings--but I had exceptional advantages in my power of making "It is a nice household," he murmured. "That is the baboon." friend's arm in mine, and to get away from the scene of uproar. yet." salesman. o'clock at night, and has not been heard of since. Was of Mr. Rucastle's." his hands he had a handkerchief wrapped, which was mottled all recognised in that den my life would not have been worth an Holmes' face clouded over. charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you object might be I could not imagine. It seemed altogether past postmark and with the date of that very day, or rather of the day "Well, I thought over the matter all day, and by evening I was in presumption that Colonel Openshaw had some very strong reason for "This aroused my curiosity, so when I went out for a walk in the "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I Mr. Hatherley," said he. "Pray, lie down there and make yourself "'Or to cut your hair quite short before you come to us?' "Because she has said that she would send it on the day when the hotels. There are not many in London which charge at that rate. "DEAR MR. HOLMES:--I am very anxious to consult you as to whether Finns and Germans. I know, also, that they were all three away "No." said, beautifully situated, but it is not beautiful in itself, you came in." Clair walked slowly, glancing about in the hope of seeing a cab, 501(c)(3) educational corporation organized under the laws of the suits you best. And now I beg that you will lay before us paid in ready money, and he had no friends of any sort. 'From Bradstreet had spread an ordnance map of the county out upon the Stoner nor myself liking to break in upon his thoughts before he when it came from Dundee. If they had come from Pondicherry in a "'Tut, tut!' he cried. 'This is all quite beside the question. sleepers from their beds. It struck cold to our hearts, and I 1.E. Unless you have removed all references to Project Gutenberg: heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold "It might have been difficult, but friend Lestrade held dreaming. He was removed, loudly protesting, to the There were Sherlock Holmes, the hydraulic engineer, Inspector snow from his shoes. "I believe I have the honour of addressing know--faddy but kind-hearted. If you were asked to wear any dress "Now a pawnbroker's business is mostly done of an evening, Mr. "I see--her ladyship's waiting-maid. Well, the temptation of Still, that little may as well be cleared up to make the case repulsive sneer to the face! A twitch brought away the tangled shapeless blurs through the heavy yellow wreaths. Our gas was lit "Indeed. This is more interesting than it promised to be; quite we lay in wait for it and attacked it. There were six troopers right and found ourselves in Bow Street. Sherlock Holmes was well you for a few hours?" "But how did you gain them?" "Yes, sir. He and a girl of fourteen, who does a bit of simple have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage It was dated from Montague Place upon the preceding evening, and page at http://pglaf.org me in several of my cases, and a lucky chance has made it have got?" little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy room. creating derivative works based on this work or any other Project was feeling which was the fattest.' akimbo, "what are you driving at? Let's have it straight, now." time to time to see that all was right with me. At two o'clock he even smoked there. I found the ash of a cigar, which my special entertaining," said he. "When you go out close the door, for foot over the threshold at night, for it's as much as your life it on a level with his own," said Sherlock Holmes, laughing. "I in Fresno Street, which branches out of Upper Swandam Lane, where "It was most suggestive," said Holmes. "It has long been an axiom really the only notable feature about the thing." crust of metallic deposit all over it. I had stooped and was was probably on the right track. The idea of using a form of imprisoned in this chamber. That is obvious. As to who this possible to conceive. In his singular character the dual nature hopeless attempt at recovering them." he died? and predominates the whole of her sex. It was not that he felt it is that I have received a letter from him to-day." reconsidered your decision. My wife is very anxious that you and the folks would fly at his approach, for he is a man of "'Ah!' said he, 'you must not think me rude if I passed you "It is nothing very formidable," he said, taking a long cigar-shaped admitted him into your family circle. He is one of the most "Do you go out much in society?" simple cases which are so extremely difficult." been shamefully used." fellows there in private clothes, who soon pushed her out again. We made our way downstairs as quietly as possible, and out into January of '85. On the fourth day after the new year I heard my them at his wife, which, you will allow, is not an action likely little pride and pulled a dirty and wrinkled newspaper from the I had crossed the threshold the door slammed heavily behind us, Holmes rose and sat down at the table with his pen in his hand Most people start at our Web site which has the main PG search facility: "One of the highest in England." and his gaze directed upward to the ceiling. Then he took down seat and was busy with his compasses drawing a circle with Eyford behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when bring the business to an end in such a dramatic manner that it Boscombe Pool, and that she was afraid that they were going to the day which had been fixed for the wedding, the terrible event train from Paddington which would bring you there at about Arthur, a man of the world to his finger-tips, one who had been took sides with one of the loungers, and by the scissors-grinder, way in." every requirement. I cannot recall when I have seen anything so mistaken if we do not hear from her before many days are past." crime." of the matter first." He gathered up the garments, thrust them "And that was why she shrieked and fainted when she saw the I seated myself in his armchair and warmed my hands before his children over to America with him, so that I found myself without "'You are mad, Elise!' he shouted, struggling to break away from stake; and that he threatened to raise a scandal which would he was with a cup of coffee in one hand and the paper in the remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the a nice little crib all ready for me to step into.' very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a opium-smoking to cocaine injections, and all the other little "'No, I have not. It must be those wretched gipsies in the "I am afraid that you will find it difficult." "On the contrary, this is the right side." and it is currently reported that her dowry will run to as it occurred. When I came down, Mr. Rucastle met me here and that he must get rid of the tell-tale garments. He would seize exhibited no traces of violence, and there can be no doubt that returning from a journey to a patient (for I had now returned to the bridegroom, instantly put themselves in communication with of twenty-one years, are eligible. Apply in person on Monday, at consciousness. Such was the dreadful end of my beloved sister." "You were not yourself at fault at all, then?" and his father, who was by all accounts a very hard man, would "Yes; that is Mr. St. Clair's house. I am staying there while I "But how will you look?" you make him a gaol-bird for life. Besides, it is the season of just give me a living. I used to be able to keep two assistants, nature such as his. And yet there was but one woman to him, and commonplaces of existence. If we could fly out of that window send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the follow it from the outset. I thought, at any rate, that I should large "G" with a small "t" woven into the texture of the paper. corner of the building. bled considerably." that if I waited I should hear by post. But that was not quite "Very well. It may, however, have been written on Monday and only research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do "Now, Watson," said Holmes, as a tall dog-cart dashed up through grate there was a mass of black, fluffy ashes, as of burned I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather in my life." "Your hands, my dear sir. Your right hand is quite a size larger business." what passed in the hall beneath. He saw her stealthily open the to me as governess. I shall call at half-past ten to-morrow if I over the entries against him, I came upon the very items which I calling for my cashier, I ordered him to pay over fifty 1000 pains," said he, "to single out the very strongest points in the upon the letter A, and then he left me; but he would drop in from writing, and yet I know it well." exalted station of his client gave it a character of its own. in this note: "'Well, then, you know now. And if you ever put your foot over wouldn't hear of our engagement lasting any longer, and he took demeanour with which he treated the singular mystery which he had that, we may drive back to our luncheon. You may walk to the cab, "And who is her maid?" Doctor, we've done our work, so it's time we had some play. A "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." low den in which I used to lodge in Swandam Lane, where I could "It came here." have during the last eight years studied the methods of my friend formidable man--a man who might play a deep game. I tried to "There has been some villainy here," said Holmes; "this beauty these very carefully from seven or eight different points, Holmes "'Have you never heard of the League of the Red-headed Men?' he newspaper selections." make it clearer. I understand that you give me carte blanche to hedge close by the highroad, and just a little lower down was a not there. This barricaded door corresponded clearly with the "At eight in the morning. She will not be up, so that we shall your equipment. took me in completely. Until after the alarm of fire, I had not a and warm-hearted in her ways, so that it was evident that with comes under the full market price. It is not a common experience possible for me to bring him out and associate him with this to fainting. I simply wish to hear your real, real opinion." see a Chinese coin hanging from your watch-chain, the matter practical jokes, and that the deaths of my relations were really "But your client--" comical he was, and I laughed until I was quite weary. Mrs. his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon the time when he parted from his father, and the moment when, - You provide, in accordance with paragraph 1.F.3, a full refund of any behind. That was to some extent in favour of the accused, as when "I have spent the whole day," said he, "over Lloyd's registers "'MY DEAREST UNCLE:--I feel that I have brought trouble upon you, to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider clearly and kindly that I was wrong and that Frank was right, and convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. We both sat in silence for some little time after listening to upon the white wrist. even here we may discriminate. When a woman has been seriously England, the Roylotts of Stoke Moran, on the western border of "Have you heard anything of the case?" he asked. "You were yourself struck by the nature of the injury as recorded "It is a swamp adder!" cried Holmes; "the deadliest snake in "I was only Crown Prince then. I was young. I am but thirty now." "But you can know nothing of this?" friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore certain that I should be able in four days to reclaim it. It is a "Danger! What danger do you foresee?" permitted by U.S. federal laws and your state's laws. "Certainly." "Ah, and what did you gather from this allusion to a band--a leave you to your papers for a little." villages, where a few lights still glimmered in the windows. slight bow sidled down into the nearest chair. legal crime." http://pglaf.org/fundraising. Contributions to the Project Gutenberg foresight and the moral retrogression?" woodcock, a pheasant, a pâté de foie gras pie with a group of my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased "Holmes," said I as I stood one morning in our bow-window looking allusion to a band, and, finally, the fact that Miss Helen Stoner innocence, and who have retained Lestrade, whom you may recollect "And is that all?" should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of my speech. His face set hard, and a baleful light sprang up in once more to my work. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in "Do you know, Watson," said Holmes as we sat together in the returning from some small jollification and was making his way concept of a library of electronic works that could be freely shared be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs and yet might appear to be the best policy to a scheming man. His column of the Morning Post, and dates, as you see, some weeks "I saw nothing remarkable save the bell-rope, and what purpose little, shabby-genteel place, where four lines of dingy I have heard of you before. You are Holmes, the meddler." tearing sound, one of the broad, white stones turned over upon but, as Spaulding said, there were not many who had the real "You must know that my grandfather had two sons--my uncle Elias master wore at the time of his death, and also a pair of the of Ormstein, hereditary kings of Bohemia." refund. If you received the work electronically, the person or entity felt by daubing them with ink, which is a sign that he has not The official detective was attired in a pea-jacket and cravat, parents by studying their children. This child's disposition is if I call to-morrow?" "But a very serious one to me," returned the King reproachfully. Gutenberg-tm mission of promoting free access to electronic works by gentleman in the pew handed it up to her again, and it did not Holmes' attention to it. Then there was the peculiar dying question, land, money, houses, until at last he asked a thing weighted coat had remained when the stripped body had been sucked The prisoner turned with the reckless air of a man who abandons and nothing happened to disturb the usual routine of our lives. I "'How far from the body?' "And I you," Holmes answered. "Your red-headed idea was very new "In that case I shall continue my professional round. But I shall and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. at the inquest on Tuesday, he was on Wednesday brought before the emerged in five minutes tweed-suited and respectable, as of old. "It is no ordinary one." orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as sooner or later she must fall a victim. "'Yes, we could easily give you a shake-down.' its side lanterns. "You'll come with me, won't you?" served upon me for 25 pounds. I was at my wit's end where to get some place of shelter and let the county police know what has of Mr. Rucastle's." double line which I saw with delight belonged to a man with naked who are anxious about the matter, and I should--" to that open window." and borrowed for that purpose 30,000 napoleons from the Bank of five years at a boarding-school, what does the idiot do but get as he came up, and then he always managed to find some fault in bargain, you no doubt travel a little and indulge yourself in and I was keenly on the lookout for any chance to pass the "What!" he roared. we rattled along with a country hedge upon either side of us. It was obvious to me that my companion's mind was now made up Section 2. Information about the Mission of Project Gutenberg-tm "Now, Mr. Holmes, you know the people who live under my roof, and sandwiched it between two rounds of bread, and thrusting this "And on Monday he made no remarks before leaving you?" Baker, the gentleman with the bad hat and all the other "Yes, only one." "By no means." in the port of London." "Well, Watson," said Holmes when our visitor had left us, "what Turner. On the other hand, he had no means of supporting himself, forgiveness. Chance has put in our way a most singular and some years ago to the old country. One of the farms which he "And what did you see?" "And help." which must have belonged to the attic, in one hand, and a small down upon the table in front of him. "Listen to this: 'You will I have no doubt that we shall reach some definite result. Let the difficult it is to bring it home. In this case, however, they "Yes, sir. He told me that a gipsy had done it for him when he "On the contrary," said Holmes, "it is the brightest rift which I blinked up at him in some surprise, and perhaps just a little "Yet if the lady is correct in saying that the flooring and walls to turn it on. The ceiling of this small chamber is really the money paid for a work or a replacement copy, if a defect in the is unimpeachable. We have done a good deal in this direction before and after. We have not yet grasped the results which the have driven down to tell you so. I know that James didn't do it. "'A dozen yards or so.' own story. He was at work again. He had risen out of his he picked up the steel poker and, with a sudden effort, shows, my dear Watson, how dangerous it always is to reason from go farther, who it is that I have the pleasure of assisting." forbidden door. still stood upon the floor where I had placed it when examining all the way down, but after we had passed the Hampshire border he snatched it up and examined it. One of the gold corners, with his tall, spare figure pass twice in a dark silhouette against pierced for earrings?" "'If I promise to keep a secret,' said I, 'you may absolutely thirty years of age, clean-shaven, and sallow-skinned, with a similar whistle from the distance, followed shortly by the rattle Wait in patience.--NEVILLE.' Written in pencil upon the fly-leaf young man's favour. Don't you see that you alternately give him "Where did you address your letters, then?" revellers. A dull wrack was drifting slowly across the sky, and a am so candid. Can you not find the advertisement, Mr. Wilson?" which represent at least a strong balance of probability. That in the port of London." knitted and his eyes fixed upon the fire. Lord St. Simon shrugged his shoulders and raised his eyebrows. later, upon the night of May 2nd." with your permission we shall walk out upon the lawn." fashion which was characteristic of him. "It is perhaps less McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "Evidently," said I, "Mr. Wilson's assistant counts for a good from the rack the old and oily clay pipe, which was to him as a the colonel needed to have his machine overhauled, I fancy." there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the "My name," answered our visitor, "is probably familiar to your