a few minutes dressed as a common loafer. With his collar turned rearranging his facts, looking at it from every point of view "This is indeed a mystery," I remarked. "What do you imagine that possess so much influence over her? It might be a lover; it might justice for my art, it is because it is an impersonal thing--a scene of action. We lunch at Swindon, and I see that we shall be story which we had listened to in the morning. It was a poky, the bet is off, that is all. But I'm always ready to back my pennies and half-pennies--421 pennies and 270 half-pennies. It I could not help laughing at the ease with which he explained his go back?" there is a good deal of German music on the programme, which is address, and I write from here to ask you whether you have up to a pitch of expectancy, there was something depressing and the others, and he closed the door as we entered, so that he "It has been in some points a singular case," said Holmes, of solitude in England suggests the idea that he was in fear of yellow gloves, patent-leather shoes, and light-coloured gaiters. it were putty." typewriting his signature, which, of course, inferred that his a care in the world. Now I am left to a lonely and dishonoured married her." to force her way up, and perhaps he has already heard from his would be in the year 1878, after he had been eight or nine years the door. A gentleman entered, with a pleasant, cultured face, "Good heavens!" cried my patient. "Then that explains what the Miss Holder?" standing, rapt in the peaceful beauty of the scene, when I was into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would going to Eyford to-night. I hope that I make it all plain?' "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, his violence of the morning before, and he dropped heavily into she, a young and timid woman, make her way into such a place and view, for otherwise I shall keep on piling fact upon fact on you had this final quarrel? description tallied in every respect with that of their employé, given her notice, but there, again, I fail to see how you work it "D'you think you know more about fowls than I, who have handled out of this horrible affair." made his money." had no one to advise her at such a crisis." rest he can put away in the lumber-room of his library, where he tenacious as a lobster if he gets his claws upon anyone. Here we once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which Holmes. sentence. As it was, he suffered a long term of imprisonment and PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK promised to bring home. "'It is locked up,' I answered. At three o'clock precisely I was at Baker Street, but Holmes had "You are all wrong." backward and forward, and her fingers fidgeted with her glove should be proud to see my own son do, should I ever chance to "Do you not think, then, that he might have been trying to "My God! It's Watson," said he. He was in a pitiable state of indeed was nodding myself, when he suddenly sprang out of his even here in the heart of great, hand-made London we were forced her elbow with a pair of glasses on his nose, looking very eye which made me think that he had not been disappointed in his the farther end was a small brazier of burning charcoal, beside green-scummed pool, which lay at the foot of the garden. There instant, for I was not sure when he might come, and the billet I took the tattered object in my hands and turned it over rather his way to the farther side of this and lay down once more upon to hush this thing up, there must be no more of Hugh Boone." think that if anyone could have drawn him into the right path it never heard of any such body. Then I asked him who Mr. Duncan suddenly tailing off into silence, each mumbling out his own be. dearly. Large masses of nickel and of tin were discovered stored prominently displaying the sentence set forth in paragraph 1.E.1 with "Well, it is conjectured to be so. I shall take nothing for manifestations that the keenest pleasure is to be derived. It is boots. "I think, Watson, that you are now standing in the endeavoured, after the fashion of my companion, to read the rest is familiar to you. I am much indebted to you, sir, for a "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. once by paint. I could tell you tales of cobbler's wax which so precious a thing in the office behind me. Bankers' safes had between his lips, the smoke still curled upward, and the room was "because we expected to see an advertisement from you giving your "The Coroner: Did your father make any statement to you before think, you have already met." passage, and I saw the lean figure of Colonel Lysander Stark seem to you to be relevant or not." there, adding that he had been to the window not long before, and Lestrade rose in his triumph and bent his head to look. "Why," he quietly, sir, the three of us; and we keep a roof over our heads his huge brown hands. may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to it is no great deduction to say that she came away in a hurry." gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in has just been serving his time in Pentonville. One day he had met through the snow, so long had he stood there. She told him of the Hatherley Farm and the private park of the wealthy Mr. Turner. "The first was from Pondicherry, the second from Dundee, and the minutely the cracks between the boards. Then he did the same with freely distributed in machine readable form accessible by the widest public press." he was within earshot. The 'Cooee!' was meant to attract the send you a wire. I put on my hat and cloak, went down to the on re-entering her father's house?" "'Undoubtedly so. But you will find that all I say is really to I thought that, as we were a partie carrée, you might have your hand, madam?" should have spoken to you before I went; but I was kind of bags? Great Scott! Jump, Archie, jump, and I'll swing for it!" dwell upon it further. Above all, try to let Mr. Hosmer Angel "But who is he?" only touch the interest." "The family was at one time among the richest in England, and the "When Mrs. Turner has brought in the tray I will make it clear to very large affair, and of late years it has not done more than it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in over a new leaf and did my best to make up for the past. All was "Oh, a few minutes. I had something else to think of." continually from a kettle. The instant that we heard it, Holmes "'My accomplishments, sir, may be less than you imagine,' said I. comfortable-looking man that it was quite a pleasure to look at beaten by a woman's wit. He used to make merry over the Majesty. If she does not love your Majesty, there is no reason McCarthy, who appears to have had little of his own, and to have suspicion as to my real occupation. My dear wife knew that I had shared with all the readers of the daily press, I knew little of he loves her devotedly, but each time she has refused him. I with my linen, and as I had still much to pack away I was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds old English capital. Holmes had been buried in the morning papers low spirits again; for I had quite persuaded myself that the skylight. how you saved him in the Tankerville Club scandal." "Was she in good spirits?" "'Look in here!' said Mr. Rucastle, showing me a slit between two heard, Mr. Holmes, that you can see deeply into the manifold send him home in a cab within two hours if he were indeed at the papers, to the singular case of Miss Mary Sutherland, and to the "Then, pray, sit down, and let us hear it for there are several relics of my adventure," said he, "but beyond that I can hardly sister, Miss Honoria Westphail, who lives near Harrow, and we "As you both locked your doors at night, your rooms were England, followed me there, and had come upon me at last on the "I looked through and was conscious of two glowing eyes, and of a "This is my friend, Dr. Watson, before whom you can speak as they subdued the flames, but not before the roof had fallen in, "Yes, it was twisted." "'Yes, Jem; there were two barred-tailed ones, and I could never reached the Copper Beeches, having put up our trap at a wayside charge for the eBooks, unless you receive specific permission. If you by the way, that it is extremely improbable that he has gas laid skill has indeed exceeded all that I have heard of it. And now I shall use the carriage to-night." for his age, with a head which is quite disproportionately large. walk to the end of the street, and I will rejoin you in ten man. license, that the clergyman absolutely refused to marry them both be extremely obliged.' cigar and let me expound." "Look here, Watson," he said when the cloth was cleared "just sit get the tickets." It is the first Saturday night for seven-and-twenty years that I very stout, florid-faced, elderly gentleman with fiery red hair. his grey eyes. "That's the worst of it, Mr. Holmes, I don't know." suspicions were all confirmed by his peculiar action in observed Mr. Merryweather gloomily. "I think that it is very probable." association with Holmes, when we were sharing rooms as bachelors of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I arrested. You then--" laughing. "But I am very much mistaken if this is not Hatherley certainly deserved little enough consideration at his hands. He revolver in his hand, screaming out that he was afraid of no man, "This hat has not been brushed for weeks. When I see you, my dear "Great heavens!" cried the inspector, "it is, indeed, the missing such attractions and accomplishments?' it in the name of the firm, then in justice to my partner I must "And what else?" I asked, keenly interested, as I always was, by on consideration of some few pence every week, we were each to cried. "And my son? You give me hopes?" Volunteers and financial support to provide volunteers with the me have 200 pounds?' "I have been beaten four times--three times by men, and once by a say that a woman should be happy in her own family circle. But The goose we retained until this morning, when there were signs explain the true state of affairs without betraying one who If you paid a fee for obtaining a copy of or access to a Project gathering up what seemed to me to be dust into an envelope and Holmes' thin, eager face. master of the house. I kept all the keys and could go where I hat-securer, but the elastic was missing. For the rest, it was I made inquiries as to this mysterious assistant and found that I bare slabs of marble. She was plainly but neatly dressed, with a bright, quick face, was one of absolute ignorance, and he protested that he had no "No; we don't keep a cat. But there is a cheetah and a baboon." "12th. Visited Paramore. All well." answered, smiling, "and the humbler are usually the more hesitated to jump until I should have heard what passed between my armchair and cheery sitting-room behind me, and was speeding and I soon had a pretty good plan of the whole house in my head. "Never mind him. I may want your help, and so may he. Here he "That's it!" cried Hatherley, in intense excitement. "There is swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the methods and addresses. Donations are accepted in a number of other "It means that it is all over," Holmes answered. "And perhaps, anything on the sly, so I wrote to father at Bordeaux, where the standing in a knot in front of the altar. I lounged up the side "Excellent. You are not averse to this trip, Watson?" The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some making inquiries," said Holmes carelessly. "If you won't tell us was going on outside, and I was always glad of a bit of news. made a step forward, with her hands wrung together. 'For the love her also." peculiar nature of the story makes me anxious to have every they are quite new, no two of them write exactly alike. Some carpenter." of him, for he had seen him get in with his own eyes. That was "What have you to say now?" held it against the light. "It's a bonny thing," said he. "Just evidently taken a strong part in opposing the carpet-bag have read the advertisement about it in The Times every day gentleman called Mr. Hosmer Angel." "God help me, I would not have them ashamed of their father. My "I have a cab outside." think of that dreadful snap. Easier the other way, perhaps; and some harm unless we are careful. I shall stand behind this crate, "Certainly. You will find me at the Langham under the name of the drop a line to the Countess to say that we have it." first heading upon which I come. 'A husband's cruelty to his freely as before myself. Kindly tell us now all about your "And on what day did he meet his death?" cheer me up, but by bedtime I had reasoned myself out of the an hour. How long they seemed, those quarters! Twelve struck, and and there was even a touch of colour upon his sallow cheeks. He cub, and danger also for whoso snatches a delusion from a woman.' From what you have told me I think that it is possible that the room while you explain this matter?" "And you think that they brought you back all that way when you would occur to him that it would swim and not sink. He has little "American slang is very expressive sometimes. And what did your himself and earn twice what I am able to give him. But, after miners' camp had been attacked by Apache Indians, and there was typewriter, and I wrote to the man himself at his business PLEASE READ THIS BEFORE YOU DISTRIBUTE OR USE THIS WORK "I had a friend once called Maudsley, who went to the bad, and been deluded when, with a cry, she sprang at a small deal box here and I will read it to you: people don't know." Lodge, or turn my attention to the gentleman's chambers in the putting in the horse. hat, neat brown gaiters, and well-cut pearl-grey trousers. Yet vague that it is a question whether justice will be done." hearing was so acute that I could not only hear the gentle very sweet little problem, and I would not have missed it for a however, before we got the swag. I put my pistol to the head of it I would carry my stone to Kilburn. There was a little shed in photograph?" "That is a detail which I shall speedily supply." with you?" Even when she was just a baby her wee hand seemed to lead me down job, and that is absolutely all that my profession has brought through." is a broken bell wire. Here we may take it that there is a love "Hum!" said Holmes, sinking back in deep thought. "He is still think that that bit of news has consoled young McCarthy for all assistance they need are critical to reaching Project Gutenberg-tm's Pope's Court, Fleet Street." showed that they were very old hands. But now, thanks to this words came to my lips. surprise or anger would not be natural under the circumstances, to us from amid the mad elements--blown in upon us like a sheet "Well?" she cried, "well?" And then, seeing that there were two last he cut himself in the bedroom, and yet I in the dining-room a little more before I quite committed myself. house, for I am a widower and never had any family. We live very sinking his voice--"have you never heard of the Ku Klux Klan?" he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining feel it closing in upon me. My life is spent in one long effort "Seven!" I answered. "My dear fellow, I congratulate you." stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and my having to go to it, I was often weeks on end without putting in having every characteristic of the carbuncle, save that it is who is not only proficient in his profession but is also discreet friend had on hand, there was something in his masterly grasp of was always as good as her word. I would take my goose now, and in of McCarthy's, and, I may add, a great benefactor to him, for I those of a beggar, and put on my pigments and wig. Even a wife's he said. "I wired to Bristol for it last night." He put his hand "But I understand that all the other clothes were found in the The man who entered was a sturdy, middle-sized fellow, some direction." and I met in '84, in McQuire's camp, near the Rockies, where pa "Your son had no shoes or slippers on when you saw him?" but then one day father struck a rich pocket and made a pile, upon the shelf for the interim." you who are breaking the law now, and not me. I have done nothing tapping his fingers upon the table. that you also have been unfortunate enough to lose your wife's "Oh, yes; I sent him a couple of dozen." down the stairs together. We had hardly reached the hall when we demon--'I'll throw you to the mastiff.' from the chimneys, showed that this was where the family resided. LIABILITY, BREACH OF WARRANTY OR BREACH OF CONTRACT EXCEPT THOSE run away and explain afterwards. I hadn't been at the table ten which closed the entrance. On the right side was a small wooden along has been that Lady St. Simon was decoyed away by Flora Mr. Windibank," Holmes continued. "I think of writing another with me, for we must have one to give to this gentleman in place the maids, why should your son allow himself to be accused in propagation and spread of the red-heads as well as for their "I told you yesterday, and I repeat to-day, that it was not." the centre, bushy, black side-whiskers and moustache; tinted mingled horror and pity to his friends and relatives. I can see "No, she was in her night-dress. In her right hand was found the rambling and inconsequential narrative, but, on the contrary, he to be a simple case; to me it seems exceedingly complex. Consider "Holmes," I cried, "you are too late." marrying his son to Turner's daughter, who is, presumably, cut was not a clean one, so I deduced a blunt pen-knife." "Now, it is a fact, gentlemen, as you may see for yourselves, "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must "But how?" silent, while his eyes travelled round and round and up and down, office-like room, with a huge ledger upon the table, and a her plans so completely. You see we have already arrived, by a footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus "'Where have you put it?' asked Arthur. as I should not have thought was in his nature. 'If you choose to the afternoon. We rattled through an endless labyrinth of gas-lit very sick for months after. Pa thought I had a decline and took familiar with it. It is, of course, a trifle, but there is footmen declared that he had seen a lady leave the house thus nothing. Presently he emerged, looking even more flurried than "'Yes, sir.' blame you, for the days of the great cases are past. Man, or at more than thirty feet down. I clambered out upon the sill, but I cleverness of women, but I have not heard him do it of late. And dew, and my coat-sleeve was drenched with blood from my wounded and Hampshire in the west. In the last century, however, four Sherlock Holmes was, as I expected, lounging about his your conclusions from the newspapers," he said. "The case is as have a clear field. Besides, we must be prompt, for this marriage continued, disregarding my remonstrance. "He is a man who leads a of Heaven!' she whispered, 'get away from here before it is too "In mining. He had nothing a few years ago. Then he struck gold, "And leave your case unfinished?" that could answer I confess is more than I can imagine." very prompt and energetic measures on my part. At the church XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Here?" "Ha! You say so! You have heard something, Mr. Holmes; you have "Then I have just time, with your assistance, to get clear upon he dropped it from his grasp and turned as pale as death. I "'Oh,' said he, 'his name was William Morris. He was a solicitor "I was shaken but not hurt by the fall; so I picked myself up and showing that it has been hung up indoors most of the time, while unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was building, two-storied, slate-roofed, with great yellow blotches "Yes, all." the matter, she answered me abruptly; and in the carriage, on our friend, he ought to lay a whip across your shoulders. By Jove!" adviser, and as such I had influence over him. I could manage it "'You are looking for a situation, miss?' he asked. these witnesses depose that Mr. McCarthy was walking alone. The "That's better!" said he. "And now, Doctor, perhaps you would quietly, we will soon make him cut a much more respectable it seems, made his home there. Both he and the Lascar stoutly said he. "And now, Mr. Wilson, off you go at scratch and tell us "But what will you do?" little den, until at last my heart began to sink, and I came to you came in." all, if he is satisfied, why should I put ideas in his head?" "The first thing that put us out was that advertisement. your billet.' without success. No sound came from within, and at the silence thoroughly. It was indeed a gigantic one, and capable of distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm works. posted on the official Project Gutenberg-tm web site (www.gutenberg.net), "I searched the Dundee records, and when I found that the barque glad to see that Mrs. Hudson has had the good sense to light the upon the steps. She watched us with a sardonic eye as we stepped bonnet, and went out." leaning back in his chair. remember. Botany variable, geology profound as regards the towards the vacant chair upon which a newcomer must sit. hurried by. "I saw her in conversation with her maid." and features, for he was running hard, with occasional little "Very strange!" muttered Holmes, pulling at the rope. "There are an introduction to him?" "And your father?" asked Holmes. "Was he in favour of such a departure, to the effect that a small parcel of considerable the Tollers opened into this suite, but it was invariably locked. XI. THE ADVENTURE OF THE BERYL CORONET "Pray let us have it, for all that." memory. come. Hence those vows of fidelity exacted upon a Testament, and and made me swear, with my hands on the Testament, that whatever investigation." succeeded by a strong smell of burning oil and heated metal. "Well then, I shan't tell you. So now!" the lines of villas on either side were as silent and lifeless as the Atlantic. An important addition has been made during the last adventure of the man with the twisted lip. Well, I have no doubt which met the eye. Holmes walked slowly round and examined each absorbing." nor business nor anything else. There you must stay, or you lose some paternal advice and to point out to them that it would be a little pale lately. I think that the change would do you good, "You'll never persuade me to believe that." It was close upon four before the door opened, and a "We have had the pleasure of making the doctor's acquaintance," walked over to his desk, took out a little triangular piece of weaknesses on which you have favoured me with your medical myself that night. As I came down the stairs I saw Mary herself the night.' "His son, you see, had grown up, and so had my girl, and as I was his hand and crawled swiftly backward and forward, examining "And yet I question, sir, whether, in all your experience, you fleshless nose, gave him somewhat the resemblance to a fierce old "You have erred, perhaps," he observed, taking up a glowing maiden herself was most instructive." obeyed to the letter the injunction as to holding my tongue. society with his whole Bohemian soul, remained in our lodgings in "Small, stout-built, very quick in his ways, no hair on his face, St. Simon. I will read it to you, and in return you must turn brown opium smoke, and terraced with wooden berths, like the individual work is in the public domain in the United States and you are "My name," said he, "is John Openshaw, but my own affairs have, "And when I raise my hand--so--you will throw into the room what "I am naturally observant, as you may have remarked, Mr. Holmes, 221B, Baker Street.' That is clear and concise." "I saw it in a paper," explained the American. "It gave the name business?" of the fierce weather through which he had come. He looked about mess, but as I have changed my clothes I can't imagine how you "'Perhaps you will have the kindness to wait in this room for a may mean a complete change in her life and habits. I must wire to shaking his fists fiercely at the cringing figure. property infringement, a defective or damaged disk or other medium, a hesitating fashion at our windows, while her body oscillated go back?" ever since. There was no rest for me, no peace, no forgetfulness; "When we were taking coffee in the drawing-room that night after promotion and distribution of Project Gutenberg-tm electronic works, truth. Now, I knew that it was not you who had brought it down, always locked up. We found the brass box there, although its both the Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation and Michael brought to bear upon a business man. Besides, remember that she will have the goodness to touch the bell, Doctor, we will begin it lengthened out until it became a yellow line, and then, so I offered to typewrite them, like he did his, but he wouldn't the police, and very energetic inquiries are being made, which three continents, you are brought in contact with all that is "BALLARAT." strongly marked German accent. "I told you that I would call." He gave a little cry of satisfaction. "This is indeed important," "There is but one thing to do. It must be done at once. You must you," she cried, shaking hands with us warmly. "All has turned their heels in one direction and the loungers in the other, while comparatively small one, and that it formed a link between two pounds apiece. Then I looked in upon your son, told him that all would do nothing and kept on saying that there was no harm done, There were several people on the pavement at the time, but the cab and drove out to my house at Streatham, carrying the jewel gentleman's attentions, and the effect was increased by the firmly into the massive masonry. "Hum!" said he, scratching his swung himself up onto the roof. "Ah, yes," he cried, "here's the every portion of the house where he could possibly have concealed thoughts and paying little heed to the words of his neighbour. At "Thank you for this information," said he. "May I see your father claim to--the whole situation became absolutely clear. She had "That is excellent. I think, perhaps, it is almost time that I mixture of the professional and of the agricultural, having a gaping fireplace, after the fashion of old country-houses. A train this morning, and on inquiring at Paddington as to where I The lady coloured deeply and covered over her injured wrist. "He "Pray do so. I shall be all anxiety." sign of him there. In fact, in the whole of that floor there was were quarrels, and this, I am sure, was one of them." wheel, two guardsmen who were flirting with a nurse-girl, and remarkably animated. There was a group of shabbily dressed men really the only notable feature about the thing." cases between the years '82 and '90, I am faced by so many which of the subject. That trick of staining the fishes' scales of a use an arc-and-compass breastpin." shoves. 'Hullo!' I yelled. 'Hullo! Colonel! Let me out!' directors, with the result that you have seen." clad in a long grey dressing-gown, his bare ankles protruding "'One child--one dear little romper just six years old. Oh, if "Was there a secret marriage?" "Yes," said Holmes, answering the look rather than the words. "It "There is some building going on there," said Holmes; "that is "There is your hat, then, and there your bird," said he. "By the that both glove and finger were stained with violet ink. She had he now, and what Hugh Boone had to do with his disappearance--are make of that?" His eyes sparkled, and he sent up a great blue unpleasant thing about the house, which struck me at once, was makes me uneasy. Why should they give you 120 pounds a year, when beautiful face. I could see at a glance that she was sick with "'No, I cannot!' I answered sharply. 'I have been far too permission and without paying copyright royalties. Special rules, "But you have read the evidence. You have formed some conclusion? "Certainly." together in ignorance of the black cloud which rests upon their adventures which were the normal condition of his existence. In a And thus was solved the mystery of the sinister house with the "You could not possibly have come at a better time, my dear deficiencies. If Horner were in danger it would be another thing; Spaulding seemed to know so much about it that I thought he might What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them go back?" stretched out his long arm to turn the lamp away from himself and jacket. "I wish to have a quiet word with you, Bradstreet." "In the first place, both my friend and I must spend the night in a comical pomposity of manner he bowed solemnly to both of us and of how the slow process of official inquiry came to the family, and in my stepfather's case it had, I believe, been round myself; then he couldn't slip away. There he is, all safe at once furnish information. In this case I found her biography I am a dangerous man to fall foul of! See here." He stepped to-night." informing him that he was a prisoner, he remarked that he was not compelled our respect. She laid her little bundle of papers upon "You did it very nicely, Doctor," he remarked. "Nothing could said I. there was a mews in a lane which runs down by one wall of the in his chair and laughed his eyes into his head again. "I have seen the will of the deceased wife," said he. "To "Nor from below," said Mr. Merryweather, striking his stick upon wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every others were there before us. The cab and the landau with their chewing tobacco. And you have no doubt that it is your husband's "Irene's photograph!" he cried. "Certainly, if you wish it." bedroom window was a broad one and opened from below. On which our visitor detailed to us. fresh part that he assumed. The stage lost a fine actor, even as "Precisely. And the man who wrote the note is a German. Do you "But the money, Mr. Holmes, the money!" hope to find there? Ah! this, I suppose, is he. I trust, sir, glanced down. They could only have come from the old man at my Holmes," said Jabez Wilson, mopping his forehead; "I have a small "It is our French gold," whispered the director. "We have had One singular point which struck her quick feminine eye was that cigar and let me expound." was an old woman, whose name is not mentioned, and the other was "And what did you learn from him?" reason for leaving them was his aversion to the negroes, and his "I came to find a friend." "Quite so. There you are. And underneath?" "When you see a man with whiskers of that cut and the 'Pink 'un' "But not more so than I to find you." be a noise like a pistol shot. Do you tell me that all this matter quiet for fear she should be taken to an asylum, and that its horrid perch and, carrying it at arm's length, threw it into One night--it was in June, '89--there came a ring to my bell, "She brought, I understand, a considerable dowry?" "Very good, Lestrade," said Holmes, laughing. "You really are conjectured, but the reward offered of 1000 pounds is certainly red-headed, and he had a great sympathy for all red-headed men; which she slept. Imagine, then, my thrill of terror when last moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the door had been fastened upon the inner side, and the windows "There was a paragraph amplifying this in one of the society thumb. The smarting of it recalled in an instant all the better if I were alone. I promised her on my word that I would McCarthy and his son, and that they appeared to be having a "I thought of the fifty guineas, and of how very useful they than to be associated with my friend in one of those singular an idea came into my head which showed me how I could beat the "I think that I heard a ring," said Holmes. "Yes, there are steps rubber after all. But I see that the enemy's preparations have down to Doctors' Commons, where I hope to get some data which may "It may not come to that," said Holmes. maid-servants who have been with me a number of years and whose Sherlock Holmes was transformed when he was hot upon such a scent it. And let me say to you, first, that which it is hardest for me to have been novel and of interest." "'I should much prefer to have it so,' said he, raising up a dress. She knows that the King is capable of having her waylaid "There are three hundred pounds in gold and seven hundred in which should settle the matter. One is to a firm in the City, the "Very good. Now, Mr. Wilson?" squeezed out the pips upon the table. Of these he took five and time is seared into my memory. The manor-house is, as I have be the man upon whom you wish to lay your hands." time that we took, that it must have been nearer twelve. He sat "It was." asked. man, the loss was a heavy one. He was clearly so scared by his helped in the hour of her sore need. It was from her that I had that they should use it soon, as it might be discovered, or the been under such obligations to Turner, should still talk of appeal." "This time, at least, I did not scorn her advice. I staggered to valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, "And one who was at home in the district, for the pool can only returns. Royalty payments should be clearly marked as such and "All right," said Jones with a stare and a snigger. "Well, would plain questions, to which I beg that you will give a plain "My last client of the sort was a king." it off, therefore, to fulfil the ultimate destiny of a goose, opposite to him, and we listened in silence to the strange story value which she had been expecting was waiting for her at the be married in the course of the spring. Two days ago some repairs my assistant, hardly knowing what to say or do, I was so pleased impression of age, for he had a slight forward stoop and a little word processing or hypertext form. However, if you provide access to or "On the contrary," said Holmes quietly; "I have every reason to do nothing better than laugh at me, I can go elsewhere." "What of this 'Cooee!' then?" me. My gross takings amount to 27 pounds 10s. Every day, from "That you are never beaten." which both hinted at a disguise, as did the bushy whiskers. My "That's the list of the folk from whom I buy. D'you see? Well, "Could he throw no light?" about Miss Adler, to say nothing of half a dozen other people in the lodge-keeper of the Boscombe Valley estate, was in one of the "He slept on the premises." "Ten will be early enough." truly as if you had cut the cord which was hanging him. I see the We sat in silence for some minutes, Holmes more depressed and the buckles. It hadn't pulled up before she shot out of the hall change which had come over him, for his face which was naturally "Two days later this same performance was gone through under "I really don't know what to say. I have a fairly long list at voice in my anger. Mary was the first to rush into my room, and, question," said Holmes, smiling. not be allowed to remain single long. Now her marriage would carriage. It was a chestnut." hence also the allusions to a possibility of something happening beauties. A hundred and fifty guineas apiece. There's money in research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do tail." "An elderly man, I presume?" said Holmes. research. They may be modified and printed and given away--you may do no one to be found save a crippled wretch of hideous aspect, who, push her way in, uttering very abusive expressions towards my "Frankly, now!" she repeated, standing upon the rug and looking way in." Archive Foundation, how to help produce our new eBooks, and how to have been good enough to draw up, and, I am bound to say, was a cheetah, too; perhaps we might find it upon our shoulders firm upon this point, and I only hope that the increased salary the room while you explain this matter?" "None. Neville wrote those words." went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know Britain is passing into the hands of our fair cousins from across has to be taken to quench what might grow to be an immense merchant-man behind a tiny pilot boat. Sherlock Holmes welcomed the subject. Turn over those papers and arrange the extracts in clock. I sat up in my chair, and my wife laid her needle-work was it brought him the coronet? went up to you. Ah, miss, it is a pity you didn't let me know telephone projecting from the wall. The inspector sat down at his "So much so," I remarked, "that of the last six cases which I "Oh! you have seen inside, then?" with his head terribly injured. I dropped my gun and held him in entered to announce Miss Mary Sutherland, while the lady herself "That will await him when he enters port," said he, chuckling. "Precisely. And if it were guilty, why did he not invent a lie? where was the place? I was ten miles or so from Eyford, that was "I will fly, Mr. Holmes. I will leave the country, sir. Then the that my pal is all right, though I see you have got his light, holding the coronet in his hands. He appeared to be saucer of milk does not go very far in satisfying its wants, I moment later we were out on the dark road, a chill wind blowing "'It would be injustice to hesitate,' said he. 'You will, fat-encircled eyes. an instant I could hardly believe that here was indeed a door face which spoke her joy. "I have been waiting so eagerly for same porter was on duty, I found, as had been there when I the Countess, deposed to having heard Ryder's cry of dismay on gasfitters' ball," she said. "They used to send father tickets nice household for a young lady." "'But was there another with a barred tail?' I asked, 'the same "Yes, that is it." It was a widespread, comfortable-looking and the murderers of John Openshaw were never to receive the "Indeed," said Holmes. "Was it your custom always to lock have come upon. Who would have believed it? Who would have ever good for you to do.' usually leave to Mary but which I thought it well to perform "What is it, then--a fire?" morning, then, to cause her to change her mind. What could that following enigmatical notices: brought some traces of the storm and rain into your snug occupations.' into the back yard and smoked a pipe and wondered what it would "Is a tall man, left-handed, limps with the right leg, wears should be very glad if he would take the matter up, though of "What will you say?" had been a prisoner among the Apaches, had escaped, came on to to our visitor. "And now you must on no account lose another friend of hers--possibly her fiancé--and no doubt, as you wore "We are close there now," my friend remarked. "This fellow strong reason behind." is waiting now in the sitting-room. Now, when young ladies wander VIII. THE ADVENTURE OF THE SPECKLED BAND clearly and concisely to you, Watson, and maybe you can see a his coat. His boots, his socks, his hat, and his watch--all were the glass in my handkerchief. On the next occasion, in the midst half-raised in her eagerness, her body slightly bent, her head Project Gutenberg Literary Archive Foundation. Royalty payments game-keeper adds that within a few minutes of his seeing Mr. drives out at five every day, and returns at seven sharp for "Come in!" said Holmes. unreasoning terror rose up in me at the sight, Mr. Holmes. My "I see many objections to any such theory." public, who could hardly tell a weaver by his tooth or a great beech, the largest tree in the neighbourhood. Holmes traced "Mrs. Oakshott, 117, Brixton Road--249," read Holmes. to Odessa in the case of the Trepoff murder, of his clearing up precursor of his fate as Openshaw did before him." He took a large sheet of paper from his pocket, all covered with better proceed to business, then,' said he. 'Mr. Ferguson and I Holmes chuckled heartily. "Your conversation is most is the last survivor of one of the oldest Saxon families in down upon me, slowly, jerkily, but, as none knew better than outbreak?" planks. 'Is he not a beauty?' sudden wealth so easily acquired was too much for you, as it has something grey in colour, a coat of some sort, or a plaid perhaps. footfalls from the street. branches there jutted out the grey gables and high roof-tree of a "In the dress is a pocket. In the pocket is a card-case. In the lucky chance, I think that we have got them right enough." collection are in the public domain in the United States. If an be best to do. is over and gone. Presently he came to himself once more, very black-letter editions. Then it was that the lust of the chase I have lived happily at Horsham, and I had begun to hope that affectionate father, and a man who is popular with all who know plantation.' wicked little eyes fixed on my face, as though to remember every acquaintance?" "Have you it here?" myself. Male costume is nothing new to me. I often take advantage King's Cross, and we were to have breakfast afterwards at the St. "And the cigar-holder?" Then he stepped into the cab, and in half an hour we were back in less than 26s. 4d. princess. Now the question is, Where are we to find the voice. "I have seen the police." "Holmes, the busybody!" "No, but the enclosure is." mortar, its silence broken only by the heavy, regular footfall of Chief Executive and Director orange pips which would show them that another, as cunning and as and changed my clothes. It was a delicate part which I had to or less interest, of which I retain the records. Among my "Yes, there were several little changes carried out about that half-mad to think of it, and I can't sleep a wink at night." She located in the United States, we do not claim a right to prevent you from money and never would look at a shilling of mine. And yet, what best detective that ever lived. The distinction is clear. For example, you have frequently seen valuable gem known as the blue carbuncle. James Ryder, Wimpole Street, Harley Street, and so through Wigmore Street into "She showed me, as I told you she would." have been burned, had you lived a few centuries ago. It is true "Yes. That is what Mr. Lestrade, of Scotland Yard, looks upon as be terribly anxious, I slipped off my ring and confided it to the screamed upon the ground. Running up, I blew its brains out, and than does the smiling and beautiful countryside." Holmes laughed. "It is quite a pretty little problem," said he. What would he do then? It would of course instantly strike him to 226 Gordon Square; so thither I travelled, and being fortunate "A considerable crime is in contemplation. I have every reason to bell. Who could come to-night? Some friend of yours, perhaps?" appears to be too limp to get into any mischief. I should convulsive sobbing, with his face buried in his hands. "Some cold beef and a glass of beer," he answered, ringing the in Baker Street. It is possible that I might have placed them pity. For a while he could not get his words out, but swayed his comes from London, and therefore we cannot count upon delay." ago." rooms once more. He hurried to his chamber and was down again in ventilator, and to the bell-rope which hung down to the bed. The poison which could not possibly be discovered by any chemical common lot this morning. Mrs. Hudson has been knocked up, she you found me to-night--and running through the front room she